The Dartford Crossing bridge is set for closures over the next two weekends.

Drivers will face a diversion as the QEII bridge shuts tomorrow overnight.

National Highways says there has been a change to its planned schedule of work which will see the bridge close for seven hours on Saturday June 15 and next Saturday, too.

It comes after a routine safety inspection revealed the need for “important repairs” to the bridge joint.

The closure begins from 10pm on Saturday until 5am, with the same closure the following day on Sunday (June 16).

These closures will also resume the following weekend on Saturday June 22, and Sunday June 23, from 10pm until 5am.

As a result, a contraflow diversion for southbound traffic will be installed through the east-tunnel, starting from 9.30pm, to maintain travel in both directions.

Meanwhile, the west tunnel, which was originally planned to close on Saturday night, will now remain open overnight for northbound traffic – where height restrictions will apply to vehicles over 4.8m tall.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Next weekend’s routine closure of the QEII bridge, which had already been scheduled between 10pm on Saturday 22 June and 5am Sunday 23 June, will remain in place for routine maintenance work and for any follow-up repairs that may be needed.”

There are also other closures planned for the month:

Friday June 14: Dartford east tunnel (no access for vehicles over 4.8m), 9:30pm to 6am. M25 junction 2 to A282 junction 1a (northbound), 11pm to 6am

Saturday June 15: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am

Sunday June 16: east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)

Monday June 17 to Thursday June 20: Dartford east tunnel (no access for vehicles over 4.8m), 9pm to 5:30am. M25 junction 2 to A282 junction 1a (northbound), 10pm to 5:30am

Friday June 21: Dartford east tunnel (no access for vehicles over 4.8m), 9:30pm to 6am. M25 junction 2 to A282 junction 1a (northbound), 11pm to 6am

Saturday June 22: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am

Sunday June 23: east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)

The East tunnel, also has regular weeknight closures from 9pm to 6am, scheduled between Monday, June 3 and Monday, July 1, with no access for vehicles over 4.8m.

However, the West tunnel resumes regular weeknight closures from July this year.

The Dartford Crossing, also known as the A282, connects directly at both ends with the M25 London Orbital Motorway, and is one of the busiest motorways in Europe.