Dartford MP calls for LTC as two separate closures affect M25 drivers in southeast

by Paul Hutton

A lorry fire on the M25 near Clacket Lane Services and a fluid spill closing the right hand Dartford Tunnel has caused huge delays and led to a Labour MP calling for the Lower Thames Crossing to be approved as soon as possible.

Hydraulic liquid leaked inside the tunnel during maintenance work leading to a quarter of a mile (400m) of carriageway needing resurfacing.

Jim Dixon, MP for Dartford, went on X to talk about the huge problems it caused his constituents, including some children being unable to get to school.

“This underscores my campaign and that of other Dartford residents to get the Lower Thames Crossing built as soon as possible to take the pressure off the Dartford crossing which is really disrupting people’s lives,” he said.

Between junctions five and six a Tesco Lorry caught fire leading to the road being closed and resurfacing required (pictured).

Jim Dixon’s full statement is below:

My statement following Dartford’s traffic standstill today, caused by a partial closing at the Dartford Crossing after a hydraulic leak.

We urgently need the @lowerthames crossing built to relieve non-stop gridlock in Dartford and to stop disrupting people’s every day lives. pic.twitter.com/FPHgtLNreg
— Jim Dickson MP for Dartford 🌹 (@Jim4Dartford) October 21, 2024