There are extremely heavy delays on the M25 this afternoon after a crash has left a lorry dangling from a motorway bridge.

The lorry collided with a barrier at around 1pm, causing "significant damage" and miles of tailbacks.

Traffic collisison on the M25 near Dartford. Highways England

The main M25 carriageway is closed anti-clockwise within J2 near Dartford as a result of the accident, and the A2 is closed in both directions within the Darenth Interchange.

Traffic collisison on the M25 near Dartford. Highways England

Traffic collisison on the M25 near Dartford. Highways England

The HGV is currently perched above the A2 on a motorway bridge, and Highways England said in a statement that as can be seen from the images, this is a "complex recovery and repair operation."

Traffic collisison on the M25 near Dartford. Highways England

Traffic collisison on the M25 near Dartford. Highways England

The road is expected to remain closed for some time, and drivers are advised to allow for extra time to travel, and to avoid the route if possible.

Kent Police have also confirmed that road closures are in place after the crash on the A282 at around 1:20pm.

Police said the lorry's trailer breached the safety barrier, but no injuries were reported.

However, the A2 is closed in both directions, at the junction for the Darenth Interchange, to ensure public safety. The anticlockwise M25 is also closed at junction 2.

Highways England said that the M25 in Kent was closed anti-clockwise within J2 near Dartford due to a lorry colliding with the barrier causing significant damage.

This has also closed the A2 in both directions within the Darenth Interchange (M25 J2). There is also 2 lanes (of 3) closed on the clockwise M25 within J2 past the scene.

Road users are being diverted via the A2 heading eastbound, to the junction with the A2260. Exit the A2 eastbound and re-join the A2 westbound. Traffic is then diverted off the A2 and onto the M25 anti-clockwise towards the Dartford River Crossing. 

Road users on the A2 in both directions are being diverted via the roundabout at the Darenth Interchange.

There are delays of up to an hour are reported in the area and on the approach to the incident on both directions of the M25 and A2, with additional delays on the diversion routes.