M20 closed near Ashford until early evening following multi-vehicle crash

The M20 westbound carriageway has been shut since around 8.29am [1] today (Tuesday) following a "serious collision" of multiple vehicles. All three lanes are closed on the motorway in the London direction.

National Highways reports traffic is not expected to return to normal until 5.30pm. Kent Police [2] said the accident was reported at 8.29am, and involved a car, a lorry and an HGV.

The incident was between Junction 9 (Ashford) and 8 (Maidstone). There has been a huge emergency response to the crash, which saw police, fire and ambulance crews attend, along with the air ambulance, which landed on the opposite side of the M20.

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It is not yet known what injuries have been reported. Traffic had to be stopped on the eastbound carriageway for around an hour for the landing of the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex.

It left the scene at 9.55am, with traffic not released until 10.20am, as emergency services crews continued to work at the scene.

The M20 near Ashford at 12.35pm -Credit:National Highways

Drivers trapped in the closure area on the London-bound side - which is heading west on the M20 - since the incident, were released via a service gate near Charing at around 11am. One driver reported seeing screens around the accident scene as they passed.

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And a separate accident has shut the westbound entry slip at Junction 9. Traffic is not expected to return to normal here either until around 5.30pm, said National Highways. KentLive understands a vehicle left the carriageway in this incident.

National Highways said of the multiple vehicle collision: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service have now left scene; National Highways Traffic Officers remain assisting Kent Police with traffic management whilst collision investigation work is underway.

"Light vehicles caught within the closure is being released via a service gate at Charing which is prior to the incident.

Larger vehicles are being turned and released via the rear of the queue.

Traffic leaving the Port of Dover is advised to use the A2/M2 for London."

M20 near Ashford - drivers had been trapped in the queue since 8.30am -Credit:Marcus Waters

The diversion route is: leave the M20 at J9 take the 1st exit towards Ashford/Canterbury, at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A20, follow the A20 for approximately 14 miles, passing through Charing, Lenham and Harrietsham to re-join the M20 westbound at J8.

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References

^ M20 westbound carriageway has been shut since around 8.29am (www.kentlive.news)
^ Kent Police (www.kentlive.news)
^ HERE. (www.kentlive.news)