'Long delays' after multi-vehicle crash on M25

Significant delays were reported on the M25 anticlockwise near the Dartford Tunnel after a multi-vehicle collision. Traffic initially built up as far back as Junction 4 but has mostly returned to normal, with minor congestion remaining near Junction 3 (Swanley Interchange).

Details from Kent Police

"Kent Police was called at 12.33pm on Friday, November 7, 2025, to a report of a collision involving two vans and a car on the A282 northbound near Dartford. Officers attended the scene alongside the South East Coast Ambulance Service and assisted with traffic flow," said a Kent Police spokesperson.

Police later confirmed the crash involved two vans and one car, revising earlier statements that mentioned two cars and a van. The incident blocked the anticlockwise carriageway near the Dartford Tunnel for a time before the road fully reopened just after 1:30pm.

Traffic and Highway Updates

According to National Highways, congestion spread south to Junction 4 (Orpington Bypass) before lanes were cleared. By early afternoon, the agency reported average ten-minute delays at Junction 3. Traffic monitoring service Inrix confirmed that all lanes had reopened on the anticlockwise side of the M25.

Summary

Traffic on the M25 anticlockwise near Dartford returned to near-normal conditions following a crash involving two vans and a car, with minor residual delays reported.

Author’s summary: A crash involving two vans and a car near Dartford Tunnel caused notable congestion on the M25, but traffic normalized within a few hours after all lanes reopened.

Kent Live — 2025-11-08