QUEUES estimated to have reached 19 miles long in both directions at one point were the result of the closure of the QEII bridge this afternoon (Friday, 21 May) because of high winds.

Roads for many miles around the Essex and Kent entries to the Dartford crossing became gridlocked as traffic backed up following an initial closure of the tunnel - as well as the bridge, to prepare for the contraflow.

Bus services were suspended or cancelled and traffic was taking as long as one and half hours to move just a few miles to clear the Lakeside Shipping Centre traffic hotspot

Updated: The bridge was reopened just before 5pm with traffic management in place - although temporary 30mph speed limits were removed shortly afterwards with all lanes also reopened.