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Storm Franklin in Kent: Delays on roads and train services

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:16, 21 February 2022

Updated: 15:10, 21 February 2022

People have been urged not to travel today as Storm Franklin brings disruption to the county's transport network.

There are hour long delays at the Dartford Crossing after National highways closed the QE2 bridge due to the strong winds.

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Traffic is building on the A2 past Gravesend and back to junction 3 for the Swanley Interchange on the M25 as a result.

It's expected to remain closed for a few more hours.

All traffic wishing to travel clockwise on the M25 is being diverted through the east bore tunnel.

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Northbound crossing traffic is being confined to using the west bore Dartford tunnel only with a height restriction of 4'8m (15'9").

Vehicles over this height will have to seek an alternative route via the clockwise M25.

Toby Howe from Kent Highways

Drivers needing to use the crossing or advised to allow extra time for their journeys and consider re-routing or delaying.

In nearby Meopham the main road through what is one of the UK's longest villages is still shut, days after Eunice brought a large section fo scaffolding crashing down.

There are delays of up to 45 minutes on the train lines but all services are still open.

Some lines were close due to fallen trees this morning but Steve White, managing director at Southeastern Railway, has confirmed all lines have now reopened but at a reduced speed. This restriction is expected to stay in place until 4pm today.

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He added: "For the safety and welfare of customers the advice is not to travel as there is a high risk of disruption due to the high winds."

Flood warnings have been issued across the north of Kent

There are flood alerts in place from Dartford to Margate, between 2pm and 6pm, with strong winds and unsettled weather causing higher water levels than normal.

On the ferries, there are delays of up to 90 minutes on the ferries because of the poor weather conditions.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning across England from midday until 1pm.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said last week marked the first time three named storms have been recorded within seven days since the storm-naming system began in 2015, with Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.

She added that there will “definitely be some impact” from Storm Franklin on Monday but it is not expected to be “as severe” as Eunice because the strongest winds will be confined to the coast.

Listen to kmfm for travel updates throughout the day.

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