DRIVERS face delays as closures hit the Dartford Crossing and the Blackwall Tunnel.

In Dartford, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge has been closed due to high winds, with forecasts predicting gusts to exceed 60mph.

The closure will remain in place until approximately 4am tomorrow (Christmas Eve) when it is predicted the high winds will ease.

Delays are expected as the east bore of the tunnel is being used instead for traffic coming into Kent, while vehicles heading into Essex are using just the west bore.

Compounding the problem is a closure of the A12 Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach heading southbound due to emergency roadworks, which have been carried out by Transport for London since December 17.