Drivers suffered long delays at the Dartford Crossing after it was closed following concerns for the welfare a person.

Officers have now helped the man to safety, and the road has been reopened.

Traffic on the M25 was gridlocked heading clockwise on the Essex side from Lakeside back to junction 29 for Romford.

Essex Police tweeted to warn motorists of the earlier closure on the QE2 Bridge, adding that it "will affect the Friday rush hour".

Highways England said: "The A282 (M25) has long residual delays of at least 60 minutes for traffic approaching the Dartford Crossing due to a police incident.

"M25 clockwise delays from J29 (A127/Upminster) and anti-clockwise delays from J3 (Swanley)."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We were called at 1.35pm today with concerns for a man’s safety on the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, across the Thames.

"Officers attended and he was brought to safety.

"The bridge was closed and traffic diverted while we dealt with the incident."

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