Drivers have been urged to avoid the Dartford Crossing after a 'police and medical incident' led to huge queues on surrounding roads.

Traffic is backed up for almost nine miles back to Junction 4 of the M25, with an accident adding to the delays.

There is also stationary traffic on the A2 Westbound for almost eight miles, with other severe delays on the surrounding roads.

The police incident led to both tunnels at the Crossing into Essex being closed before they reopened at 6.50am.

People caught up in the delays said they had been stationary for more than one hour and 30 minutes.

An Essex police spokesman described the incident as a "two vehicle collision" at 4.20am today.

We were called shortly after 4.20am today, Wednesday 22 September, with reports of a two vehicle collision on the anti-clockwise M25 close to junction 31.

"If you witnessed the incident please call 101 citing incident 96 of Wednesday 22 September" he added.

The nature of the reported medical incident is not yet clear but no ambulances were required.

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Read more: All the latest news from Dartford.