'Dangerous lorries' to be tackled by new Dartford Crossing safety scheme

The first images for the new safety system were unveiled today.

Since the payment barriers were removed, the Highways Agency has faced new challenges with managing potentially hazardous traffic.

Vehicles which are too tall, or are carrying dangerous substances, often need escorts through the tunnels - while others are prohibited.

The new system will use detectors to spot overheight lorries or lorries carrying substances that may need to be turned around.

Before the introduction of Freeflow last December, lorries carrying dangerous substances or overheight lorries were stopped by payment barriers.

The new system will use signs to get drivers in the correct lane, and barriers and traffic signals to bring them to a safe stop and turn around if necessary.

Highways Agency Project Director Nigel Gray said: “The barriers are the point at which we identified and managed dangerous loads and oversized vehicles – so now we need a new approach. This system has been extensively tested and will be able to do the job effectively, and without requiring every driver to stop.”

The Highways Agency faces two challenges when it comes to dangerous vehicles.

Firstly, all major tunnels have rules about what substances can be taken through them, including the Dartford tunnels.

Secondly, the two tunnels at the Dartford Crossing are slightly different sizes, having been opened almost 20 years apart. Vehicles more than 4.8 metres high can only use the eastern tunnel, and vehicles more than 5 metres high cannot use the tunnels at all.

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

Construction of the new system will begin in late January and is due to be completed by early April.

The construction is part of a set of wider changes planned for the Crossing, including signage on the approach to the Crossing to give HGV drivers warning to get in the correct lane.