THE Highways Agency is advising drivers that essential safety work at the Dartford Crossing will begin on Saturday (December 1).

The work, to replace bearing components, will require several closures of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which will all take place overnight to minimise disruption to traffic.

The work is expected to be completed in February 2008.

The first closure will take place overnight on between 8pm and 9am. A second closure will take place overnight on Saturday, December 8.

A further three Saturday night closures will be required to complete the work, along with two shorter closures which will take place on weekday nights.

While the bridge is closed, southbound traffic will be reduced to two lanes and diverted through the east bore of the Dartford tunnel.

Northbound traffic will continue to use the west bore of the tunnel and will also be reduced to two lanes. Traffic in Essex wishing to join the M25 at junction 31 will be diverted to junction 30 on a fully signed route.

Laurence Potts, project manager for the Highways Agency, said: “Safety is top priority for the Highways Agency.

"This work will keep the bridge operating safely and will enable us to avoid having to implement disruptive traffic restrictions on the bridge, which would be necessary if this work is not carried out. “