A protest that halted traffic on the QEII Bridge for 42 hours has been ended.

The bridge has now reopened after two Just Stop Oil protesters scaled the Dartford Crossing just before 4am on Monday.

Officers brought in a raised platform to bring down and arrest two protestors who had scaled the bridge yesterday - both men remain in custody this morning.

The platform, which arrived around 4pm, allowed specialists to work at height and continue "meaningful engagement" with the two Just Stop Oil protestors who had been straddling the suspension cables.

An Essex Police spokesman tweeted: "Two people who had been at height on the Dartford Crossing have now been brought down and arrested.

"An at-height operation was a success and two men have now been arrested. A decision on how and when to open the road sits with National Highways."

The agency tonight said its workers were now carrying out inspections on the bridge to ensure no damage was caused during the protest. Once that is done and the bridge is deemed safe, the road will reopen.

Sean Martell, Head of Service Delivery for Operations in the South East, said: "Our primary concern has always been safety. Protesting on the strategic road network is extremely dangerous, both for the protesters themselves and for motorists, and it was not safe to reopen the Crossing while the protesters were still at height.

"The two protesters have now been removed and arrested by Essex Police. We are working to get the bridge reopen as soon as it is safe to do so."

Police previously said the duo would be arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance when they eventually come down.

Motorists had been warned to expect further traffic chaos during the protest by Just Stop Oil, which saw the two men straddling the suspension cables.

Essex Police, who are working at the scene to try and resolve the situation, said this morning the bridge would remain closed during Tuesday's rush hour.

Traffic was being diverted via the east bore tunnel at Dartford, with Kent Highways warning there would be a second day of lengthy delays on both sides of the crossing.

Just Stop Oil's latest pictures on social media show a man apparently lying in what looks like a hammock.

In a video released this morning, Morgan Trowland, the bridge design engineer who slept in a hammock on the crossing last night said: "We've just survived our first night up here, I was pretty cold and didn't sleep much but I'm ok.

"We're up here until the government makes a meaningful statement to cancel all new licenses and consents for oil and gas extraction."

Traffic was able to travel in both directions through the tunnels, but the decreased capacity caused delays of several hours on the M25 and the A282, as well as congestion on the local roads in the area.

There were also delays on approaching roads to the M25, including on the A13 near Thurrock and the A2 near Darenth.

Read more: What do Just Stop Oil want?

Motorists were advised to avoid travelling to the Dartford Crossing and should consider alternative routes where possible.

Sean Martell, from National Highways, said: "Our primary concern is always safety. Protesting on the strategic road network is extremely dangerous, both for the protesters themselves and for motorists.

"People rely on the strategic road network for so many things and they have a right to expect it to operate as it should."

The pair were brought down at around 6pm and the road reopened at about 10pm.

Just Stop Oil says the two climbers ascended the two 84m masts on the north side of the crossing.

The duo have now begun 'descending on ropes' and have a line between them that is holding up a Just Stop Oil sign.

They say this is part of the 'next phase'.

Morgan Trowland, 39, a bridge design engineer from London, said: “As a professional civil engineer, each year as I renew my registration, I commit to acting within our code of ethics, which requires me to safeguard human life and welfare and the environment. Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production: killing human life and destroying our environment. I can’t challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I’m taking direct action, occupying the QE2 bridge until the government stops all new oil.”

Marcus, 33, a teacher from London said: “Too many people in this country simply don’t know the scale and intensity of climate breakdown as the scientists describe it. The authorities are criminally failing to get this grim science communicated. During Covid the science was conveyed on a daily basis. Why isn’t the most existential threat that humanity has ever faced on the news every day?

“Our political system is betraying the people of this country. More fossil fuel licenses means global genocide. Only direct action will now help to reach the social tipping point we so urgently need.”

The protest is the 17th in a row for the group, with 450 arrests after incidents including a tin of soup being hurled at Van Gough's Sunflowers painting in the National Gallery and the spray painting of New Scotland Yard's famous revolving sign.

"This is not a one day event, expect us every day and anywhere. This is an act of resistance against a criminal government and their genocidal death project. Our supporters will be returning – today, tomorrow and the next day – and the next day after that – and every day until our demand is met: no new oil and gas in the UK," said the group.

A statement from Essex Police reads: "Our officers are continuing to work to resolve the issue on the Dartford Crossing after two people climbed up onto high cables.

"The QEII bridge is closed to allow us to resolve the situation as safely as possible and a diversion is in place through the tunnel.

"This is a complex operation due to the height at which the protestors are currently situated and it may take some but we are working as quickly as possible.

"We want to be clear – our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving.

"We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or things they can selfishly stop others getting to work or getting on with their lives.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding and will keep you updated."

There is slow traffic in both directions as a result.