There will be a series of overnight closures on the Dartford Crossing with bigger vehicles being diverted around the entire M25.

The east tunnel will be shut at different times for nine days starting on Thursday for essential maintenance and repair works.

The closures are as follows:

• Thursday, November 3, it will be shut from 8.30pm to 5.30am
• Friday, November 4, the closure will be from 9pm to 6am
• Sunday, November 6 until Friday, November 11, it will be closed overnight between 8.30pm and 5.30am.

Vehicles less than 4.8m high will be diverted through the west tunnel while for those between 4.8m and 5.0m high an alternative route will be in place via the M25 clockwise.

The QEII Bridge will also be closed overnight on Bonfire Night between 10pm and 5am for routine inspections and maintenance.

Southbound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel, while northbound traffic will continue to use the west tunnel as normal.

Normal traffic through the tunnel will be reopen as normal from 5.30am on Friday, November 11 once all the works are complete.

National Highways is advising drivers to plan ahead and leave extra time during their journeys.