The design of a new safety system on the Dartford Crossing has been revealed today (Jan 19) by the Highways Agency.

The device has been created to identify and manage tall vehicles and dangerous loads, since the payment barriers were removed in November last year.

The new safety system will use various detectors to identify the vehicles, signs to encourage drivers to get into the correct lane in good time, and barriers and traffic signals to control them.

The new system will detect whether a vehicle is too tall, wide or long to enter the tunnels or whether it is carrying hazardous goods that mean it cannot enter the tunnels or needs to be escorted.

These will trigger a system of traffic signals and barriers that will stop the vehicle.

The system has been  tested over the last six months at a disused airfield using vehicles from a local haulage company.

Highways Agency project director Nigel Gray said: “This system has been extensively tested and will be able to do the job effectively, and without requiring every driver to stop.

“It is a big part of fully realising the benefits that Dart Charge is already bringing.”

Construction of the new system of traffic signals and barriers on the northbound carriageway will begin at the end of this month and is due to be completed by early April.