There have been delays at the Dartford Crossing after a tunnel was closed for “essential maintenance”.

The west tunnel was shut on the anticlockwise M25, from Junction 1A for the A206 in Dartford to Junction 31 for Lakeside. It has now reopened.

Traffic was backed up to Junction 2, adding an extra 30 minutes on to journeys.

National Highways posted on social media site X at 8.51pm on Sunday, saying: “Essential maintenance works are complete and the West Tunnel has reopened on the #A282 northbound #DartfordCrossing.

“There is still approx. 1.5 miles of congestion on approach, please allow extra time for the remaining delays to clear.”