London travel news LIVE: Lorry blocks M25 lanes at Dartford Crossing as Easter travel plans thrown into disarray

Those looking to head on the M25 for the Easter weekend are looking at delays of up to an hour
Easter getaway
Queues at Dartford Crossing
Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Commuters looking to getaway by car for the Easter weekend have had their plans hit a snag after as a lorry has broken down on the M25 at the Dartford Crossing.

Drivers are looking at delays of up to an hour as the lorry is blocking several lanes.

Traffic has ground to a halt, with queues building on one of the road’s busiest days for travel of the year.

Anyone heading on the M25 for the long weekend this afternoon is likely to experience significant delays.

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Live updates

1 day ago

Delays on the A2 near Gravesend

The A2 near Gravesend is also heavily impacted by the delays on Dartford Crossing.

Although all lanes have reopened, severe delays remain in the area.

1 day ago

London Gatwick makes major change to 100ml liquid rules

Passengers using Gatwick Airport no longer have to put liquids in plastic bags or take out electrical devices in order to pass security.

As they pass through the airport scanners, passengers can now keep liquids and devices, including laptops, in their hand bags, according to the London airport.

There will still be a 100ml limit on passengers' liquids, but they can remain in cabin baggage instead of being taken out and put in clear plastic bags.

New computed tomography (CT) 3D scanning equipment, referred regarded as “cutting-edge technology” by airport security personnel, is responsible for the change.

1 day ago

Operation Brock deployed in Kent ahead of Easter getaway

Operation Brock, a traffic control system, has been set up in Kent in advance of the Easter holidays.

According to National Highways, the contraflow was operational in early April.

The initiative is intended to control traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which will see strong demand from holidaymakers.

It has been implemented on a 13-mile section of the freeway between Ashford's Junction 9 and Maidstone's Junction 8.

At Junction 8, lorries bound for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are instructed to join a designated lane by following signage.

1 day ago

Storm warning for popular Brit holiday destination

British citizens who want to visit Greece in the upcoming weeks have been encouraged to confirm the country's safety before departing.

As weather warnings have been issued for popular tourist destinations, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated travel information for vacationers going to Greece.

Experts warn that severe weather, which has included storms, flash flooding, and even seismic activity in recent months, may continue to affect areas of the nation this summer.

Seven people have been rescued from floodwaters after storms and flash floods pounded the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes.

The islands of Paros and Mykonos have also experienced disruption, with cleanup efforts currently underway following hailstorms and heavy rains.

Find out more here.

1 day ago

Images show delays at Dartford Crossing

New images show just how bad the queues along Dartford Crossing are.

Easter getaway
Dartford Crossing line
Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Easter getaway
Length of Dartford Crossing line
Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Easter getaway
Many families travelling today are expected to experience delays at Dartford Crossing
Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
1 day ago

Euston station Easter 2025 closure

Thousands of Londoners' travel plans will be disrupted when London Euston station closes over the Easter weekend.

Travelers on the West Coast Main Line between Euston and Scotland are being advised to leave before or after the bank holiday weekend.

Scheduled Caledonian Sleeper services will start and terminate at London King’s Cross station.

The station's £86 million engineering project is the reason for the closure. This include upgrading rail drainage and replacing switches and crossings.

Over the Easter weekend, engineers will complete the connecting of a new rail freight interchange to the West Coast Main Line in Northampton.

Find out more here.

1 day ago

What to expect during the Easter weekend travel disruption

As millions of people travel throughout the UK in anticipation of the four-day Easter weekend, travel disruption is starting to be felt.

Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink trains were among the National Rail services that experienced delays on Wednesday.

They precede expected flight, road, and rail delays and disruptions over the Easter bank holidays.

According to the AA, traffic delays on major routes are probable because over 19 million automobile trips are expected on Good Friday alone.

Since Easter is three weeks later than in 2024, more people are anticipated to drive because of the anticipated improvement in weather. According to the Motoring Association, this increase will be roughly 15 per cent.

Here are all the delays you can expect.

1 day ago

All lanes open on Dartford Crossing

All lanes are now open on Dartford Crossing, says National Highways, after the broken vehicle was cleared.

Expect major delays in the area.

1 day ago

Easter getaway travel warning issued

Passengers on trains have been warned of significant disruptions throughout the Easter break.

Between Good Friday and Monday, Network Rail plans to work on over 300 projects throughout Britain, which will result in the closure of many lines.

The biggest effect will be felt at London Euston, the tenth busiest train station in the UK.

On Saturday and Easter Sunday, there will be no trains to or from Milton Keynes, and on Good Friday and Monday, the schedule will be shortened.

This is due to projects like drainage upgrades and overhead electrical line renewals.

Between Saturday and Monday, West Coast Main Line services will begin and end at Carlisle, with substitute buses running to northern stops.

You can read more about it here.

1 day ago

Today is set to be the busiest traffic day on British roads

Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, around 20,000,000 journeys are predicted to make today the busiest traffic day on British roads.

Further disruption is expected next weekend when Dartford Crossing closes for maintenance.

It will come into force at 10pm on Saturday April 26 - and lift at 5.30am on Sunday April 27.

National Highways added that further disruption can be expected on the QEII Bridge between April and October for painting work.

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