Dartford Crossing Reopens Following Police Incident That Paralyzed M25 Traffic
Motorists traveling along a major orbital motorway experienced severe delays on Friday after law enforcement officers shut down a critical Thames crossing due to an urgent welfare concern. The emergency response severely disrupted traffic near the Kent and Essex border, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
The disruption centered on the Dartford Crossing, specifically affecting the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Authorities rushed to the scene following reports concerning the safety of an individual. To ensure the protection of the person and the public, decision-makers implemented a total traffic stoppage on the vital route, halting all southbound vehicular movement and triggering massive congestion across the surrounding road network.
Drivers found themselves trapped in stationary vehicles for extended periods. Initial reports indicated that traffic jams stretched for miles, with motorists enduring delays ranging from well over an hour to upwards of two hours. The sudden gridlock severely impacted the morning commute, spilling over onto alternative routes and causing widespread frustration for travelers attempting to cross the river.
Emergency responders, including specialist negotiators and local police units, remained at the location to manage the delicate situation. Thanks to their intervention, the incident was eventually brought to a safe resolution.
Authorities lifted the restrictions and fully restored access to the QEII Bridge once the area was deemed secure. While traffic officials immediately began working to clear the backlog and ease the congestion, residual delays persisted for some time as the thousands of affected vehicles slowly resumed their journeys. Transport agencies reminded the public that support services are available for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, emphasizing that safety remains the primary priority during such unexpected network closures.
Sources: Metro.co.uk
Aggregated summary. Original: Metro.co.uk