Drivers faced severe delays after the Dartford Crossing was closed this afternoon – and continued to be shut well into the evening.

Police responded to an incident on the Kent side of the QEII Bridge. The M25 was shut southbound between Junction 30 and Junction 2.

Traffic approaching the bridge was facing delays of up to three hours and National Highways said at one point it did not know when the road would be able to reopen.

National Highways explained: “Delays have increased to three hours on approach. Due to the nature of the incident, extensive clear-up works are required.”

Initially, a shorter stretch of the carriageway on the Kent side of the Thames was closed, but the closure was then expanded. National Highways said it was working alongside Kent Police to clear any traffic caught within the closure.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “We were called at 1.36pm on Saturday to a report of a concern for the welfare of a person near the A282, Dartford. Emergency services are at the scene and a road closure is in place between J1A and J1B while the incident is attended to.”

A diversion was put in place, with motorists hoping to cross the River Thames southbound being advised to travel via the Blackwall Tunnel.

“We advise if you are travelling in the area, to allow plenty journey time,” National Highways said.

National Highways was still reporting delays of three hours at 9.30pm but at 10.30pm said the road had re-opened.