DRIVERS could face disruption as essential safety works continue at the Dartford Crossing over the weekend.

The Highways Agency is advising road users that work to replace bearing components on Saturday will require several closures of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, all of which take place overnight to minimise disruption to traffic.

The next closure will take place between 8pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

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 sponsor 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."

The safety work is expected to be completed in February.