Traffic on the M25’s Dartford Crossing came to a standstill on Tuesday evening after a pedestrian was spotted on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, causing chaos for thousands of drivers.
At approximately 17:30 GMT, National Highways reported that all southbound lanes on the bridge were closed as police rushed to the scene. The unexpected presence of a pedestrian on the busy motorway bridge led to immediate safety concerns and heavy congestion in both directions.
Motorists travelling between Essex and Kent were advised to expect long delays, with National Highways estimating up to 60 minutes of additional travel time. The agency urged drivers to remain patient and follow instructions while the incident was being handled.
A spokesperson for National Highways said authorities were “working closely with police to remove the pedestrian safely” and restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible. Witnesses described seeing vehicles at a complete standstill across the bridge, with traffic building rapidly along the approach roads.
Police arrived on-site shortly after the alert was raised. Within about 30 minutes, National Highways confirmed that the situation had been resolved and that vehicles were once again moving across the crossing.
“Traffic is now flowing again on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge following an earlier incident involving a pedestrian,” the agency said in a follow-up statement around 18:00 GMT.
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, part of the Dartford Crossing, serves as a vital link between Essex and Kent, carrying thousands of vehicles daily as part of the M25 orbital route around London. Even short closures often lead to major tailbacks on both sides of the river, affecting commuters and freight transport alike.
While details about the pedestrian’s motive remain unclear, officials have confirmed that no injuries were reported. Police are expected to review the incident further to determine how the individual accessed the bridge, which is typically restricted to vehicular traffic only.
Drivers caught in the disruption expressed frustration on social media, with some reporting delays of over an hour before traffic began moving again. “It was completely gridlocked — nobody knew what was happening,” one commuter wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident has reignited discussion about safety and access restrictions on the Dartford Crossing, where any intrusion can lead to major transport disruptions due to the high volume of daily traffic.
By early evening, traffic had eased, and normal operations resumed. National Highways thanked drivers for their patience and cooperation during the temporary closure.
