Overnight closures will continue at the Dartford Crossing this week as part of repair work.

Engineers are carrying out an extensive programme of maintenance work over the next few years to “keep journeys safe and reliable for road users”.

National Highways says the route was designed to handle 135,000 vehicles a day, but the average is now 150,000 – with the busiest days seeing up to 180,000 using it.

Work resumed on Tuesday following the busy bank holiday weekend.

Tonight, the east tunnel will be closed between 10pm and 5am, with no access for vehicles more than 4.8 metres tall.

From tomorrow to Thursday, the west tunnel will be shut between 10pm and 5.30am, while it will be closed on Friday between 11pm and 6am.

On Saturday, the QEII Bridge will be shut between 10pm and 5am.

And on Sunday, the east tunnel will be closed between 10pm and 5am, with no access for vehicles more than 4.8 metres.

National Highways says closures can change at short notice and diversions will be in place.

When the east tunnel is shut, vehicles less than 4.8 metres tall will be diverted via the west tunnel. Vehicles between 4.8m and 5m will be diverted via the M25 clockwise.

When the west tunnel is closed, drivers will be diverted via the east tunnel.

Southbound traffic will be sent via the east tunnel during the QEII Bridge closure.

Vehicles less than 4.8m high travelling northbound will be able to use the west tunnel as usual and for vehicles between 4.8m and 5m high, an alternative diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise.