PART of the Dartford Crossing was closed this afternoon after a "multiple vehicle" crash.

Following the multi-vehicle crash, the right-hand Dartford Tunnel had been closed.

Traffic was held on the approach in Dartford between junction 1B on the M25 and the tunnels to install tunnel closure.

National Highways reassured drivers traffic would be released shortly with all traffic diverted via the west tunnel only at this stage.

The tunnel has since re-opened but long delays coming into Essex remain, with delays back to junction 3 on the M25 in Dartford.

A National Highways spokesman said: "The vehicles involved in the earlier multiple vehicle collision on the A282 Dartford East Tunnel have now been recovered from the scene.

"All lanes and the east tunnel have been reopened with residual delays of up to 60 minutes on the approach."

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