DRIVERS were hit with travel chaos today after a firework factory blast closed the M4 and a separate accident sparked a seven-mile tailback on the M25. 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"The crossing has been closed whist the incident is being dealt with. Traffic is still able to travel in both directions through the tunnels, but the decreased capacity is causing delays of several hours on the M25 and the A282, as well as congestion on the local roads in the area. 7. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's See what's happening on the roads or trains near you by entering your postcode below or visit InYourArea for latest traffic info. 2023 BBC. The exact nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed. Essex Roads Policing tweeted: "Police on scene but traffic building and likely to be some time, pls avoid the area and RT to others. Police have closed the Dartford Crossing after two people climbed the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at 3.50am; Essex Police says it is dealing with them 'as quickly and as safely' as possible, but . Just Stop Oil activists have shut the Dartford Bridge by climbing onto cables high above the road linking Essex and Kent. Activists walked out onto the A4 road outside Barons Court tube station, West London, at around 7.45am today. The duo have now begun 'descending on ropes' and have a line between them that is holding up a Just Stop Oil sign. I know this situation is incredibly frustrating, but we are doing everything possible to resolve this situation as quickly and as safely as possible.". Traffic is backing up between J31 and J1A and drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible for the next 60 - 90 minutes. A group spokesperson said it was protesting against new government oil and gas licences and that "it is expected that the bridge will remain shut for at least 24 hours". The A282 Dartford Crossing is currently the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road. "This is a complex operation due to the height at which the protestors are currently situated and it may take some but we are working as quickly as possible. Our political system is betraying the people of this country. . HOMESTEAD (KDKA) - One person was The bridge was reopened shortly after.". Motorists were also being diverted away from the crossing although it is due to reopen shortly. Dartford Crossing: Moment Just Stop Oil protesters brought down from QE2 bridge. This morning queues reached at least six-miles long as bridge designer Morgan and teacher Marcus refused to come down. 3:46. 13@Essex_Travel @EPControlRoom @BBC_Travel @essexlive @EssexTravelNews @BBCEssex @HeartEssexNews @essexhighways @HighwaysEAST pic.twitter.com/Ub3aIDAL7Y. It came after a crash in Surrey and a separate 'police incident' at the Dartford Crossing brought traffic to a standstill. There are two-hour delays in both directions and five to six miles of congestion, said National Highways. Police said on Tuesday they had arrived at the bridge with a "raised platform" to "allow specialists to work at . Clockwise traffic was temporarily rerouted through one of the tunnels but with the bridge reopened both tunnels are being used for anti-clockwise traffic. Published by at 14 Marta, 2021. It is understood neither of the protesters were hurt. 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"We expect the bridge to remain closed this evening and into tomorrow morning's rush hour," police said on Monday night, advising motorists to use an alternative route if possible. The #QE2 Bridge on the #A282 / #M25 has been closed due to a Police incident. For further updates on the M25 traffic, or other major incidents in and around Kent, try our KentLive traffic and travel group. There are major delays following an HGV fire on the M25 near the Darenth Interchange. The bridge re-opened shortly before 4pm after being shut for around an hour and a half. The 1.7-mile (2.8km) long QEII Bridge southbound and two 0.8-mile (1.4km) long tunnels northbound . Drivers were late for job interviews, ambulances had to be rerouted and workers failed to get to their jobs in time. The QE2 bridge was shut after a report of climbers was received in the early hours. North of the river, there are delays past Junction 29 heading clockwise towards the bridge. The bridge was closed on Monday after it was scaled by the two climbers from the group, whose demands include that the government "halts all new oil and gas licences and consents". One person is dead and four others injured after a three vehicle crash on the QE2 near Bowden today. All lanes have been re-opened. Plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the industrial building, believed to store pyrotechnics, shortly after 1.30pm between Junction 13-14 in Westbrook, Newbury. 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Long delays continue on the M25 from J31 to J1A, the A13 in both directions approaching the M25, and routes through Lakeside and Purfleet. A sposkesman for Essex Police has shed further light on the reasons the bridge is closed. A furious taxi driver also told a group of eco-yobs that they were blocking people from getting to hospital in Park Lane, Central London, on Sunday. "The QEII bridge is closed to allow us to resolve the situation as safely as possible and a diversion is in place through the tunnel. Starts at Feb 27, 2023 00:00am Until: Apr 17, 2023 10:59pm Severity: Serious. Motorists have been warned to expect further traffic chaos during the protest by Just Stop Oil, which has seen two men straddling the suspension cables of the QEII Bridge. 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Officers spoke with the man, who was on the wrong side of the barrier, and brought him back to safety. "Long delays cleared on M25 Dartford Tunnel anticlockwise from J1A A206 (Dartford) to J31 A1306 (Lakeside / Purfleet)," said Inrix said. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III. Emergency services put a large cordon around the area, while National Highways closed the M4. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Eco activists seem to have been shot at by fireworks last night, Two fireworks were set off in video shared online, The QE2Bridge Crossing also remained closed after two protesters climbed up, Queues were lasting at least an hour for commuters by the Dartford Crossing today, Eco activists blocked a major road in London today during rush hour, Police arrested 26 protesters this morning, Credit: Jamie Lashmar / Story Picture Agency, Dartford Crossing: Cherry picker arrives to pull down eco-idiots who closed M25 after fireworks shot at them, Putin's thugs close in on ravaged Ukrainian city with thousands fleeing as intense fighting rages, Partygate buster Sue Gray's son 'boasting about mum on campaign trail as he tries to unseat Boris Johnson', Suella Braverman vows to stop the boats with new law to crack down on migrants using human rights laws to stay in UK, Runaway mum Constance Marten was 'groomed' by evil Nigerian sect leader, Man 'naked and covered in blood' arrested before mum found 'murdered' at home as neighbours reveal hearing screams, Rishi Sunaks new bill to end the Channel migrant crisis is crucial for the Tories, Leicester 'explosion': Listen to massive 'sonic' boom that shook homes and rattled windows. Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described the actions of demonstrators as "self-defeating" and "completely indefensible". NUISANCE protesters have forced police to close the Dartford Crossing this morning after two idiots scaled the bridge. Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production: killing human life and destroying our environment. The right-hand tunnel was briefly shut to anti-clockwise traffic so it could be used to for clockwise traffic and there have been delays here ever since.". Traffic backlogged between junction 31 and junction 1A as two lanes were closed and drivers were warned to take extra care. The driver of a semi-truck was taken to hospital by STARS Air Ambulance after a collision on the QEII Highway south of Edmonton Wednesday morning. Thousands of commuters were hit with miserable two-hour delays and six mile queues yesterday. break and enter, police say London, Murder investigation launched after man dies following assault at adult care centre in Hayes, west London | UK News. "The bridge has been closed while we resolve the incident which we will do as quickly and as safely for . Just Stop Oil said the two supporters ascended the two 84m (275ft) masts at the northern end of the bridge. The fire came after traffic came to a standstill on the M25 between J31 A1306 and J1A A206 after the Dartford Crossing was shut. Motorists were also being diverted away from the crossing although it is due to reopen shortly. "The law is annoyingly complicated," he said. You can stay up to date with all the latest. Please report any comments that break our rules. In the meantime the bridge remains closed. Drivers have been warned to expect delays on the M25 this morning. MOTORISTS were urged to avoid a busy south Essex bridge this morning due to a police incident. LBC Essex Police confirmed the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Crossing was . I'm really frustrated.". The force said the incident could take "some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height". There are long queues on the M25 today following an earlier incident on the QE2 bridge. The clockwise carriageway was completely closed between J30 and J1A for three hours but it reopened at 6:30am. Just Stop Oil has released a further video clip, this time of a protester at the last of the three protests to begin today, by the QE2 bridge at Dartford. Motorists are advised to avoid travelling to the Dartford Crossing and should consider alternative routes where possible.