HGV breakdowns caused big problems for drivers heading north at the Dartford Crossing tunnels this morning (Wednesday, 8 December).

The first incident happened around 6am when a lorry broke down in the west tunnel, causing its closure. All traffic was diverted to the taller east tunnel which began to cause tailbacks and they gradually built up as the rush hour dawned to junction three.

A further breakdown at junction two then compounded the problem and though the first breakdown has been cleared the congestion continued and at around 8am was back seven miles – with traffic taking up to an hour to crawl through the crossing.

At 8.30am recovery was still taking place at the second breakdown site, with two of three lanes closed and National Highways estimated that the queues would not diminish until around 10am.