Dartford Crossing

The Dartford Crossing comprises two bridges carrying the M25 motorway over the Thames estuary, linking Kent and Essex. The older bridge opened in 1963, while the second crossing (the QE2 Bridge) was completed in 1991 as a cable-stayed bridge. Together they handle hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily, making them among the busiest river crossings in Europe.

The crossing is a significant engineering landmark and key piece of UK transport infrastructure. For visitors on the X80 coach route between Lakeside and Bluewater, the crossing offers a moment to observe modern engineering in action, with clear views of both bridge structures and the Thames estuary landscape. The crossing charge is collected electronically for vehicles using the motorway. The site represents the strategic importance of this Thames crossing for south-east England's transport network.