Drivers are being advised to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time due to closures at the Dartford Crossing.

Scheduled maintenance will be starting tonight (October 12) on the west tunnel.

National Highways is continuing to carry out maintenance repairs every weekday night in the tunnel on its steelwork, drainage and electrical equipment.

As a result, from 10pm today until 5am tomorrow, the west tunnel will be closed.

Then on Sunday (October 15) at 10.30pm to 5.30am on Monday (October 16), the east tunnel will be shut to motorists.

The west tunnel will then close again every night, starting from the Monday until Friday (October 20), from 10pm to 5am.

Whilst each section is closed, a diversion route for drivers will be in place via the opposite tunnel.

Also during this time, the QEII Bridge will be completely shut overnight from this Saturday (October 14) to Sunday, between 10pm and 5am.

This is to allow for routine safety inspections and maintenance work.

Kent-bound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel, and drivers travelling out of the county will be able to use the west tunnel as usual.

Vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high will be diverted via M25 clockwise.