M20 closed RECAP: London commuters in huge delays after horror crash

Kent Police and National Highways officers are at the scene, managing traffic and investigating the horrific collision. Police Launch Full-Scale Collision Inquiry Authorities are treating the incident as serious and leading a thorough investigation. They urge all drivers to stay clear of the area while inquiries continue.

Eastbound Diversions in Place Plan Your Route Motorists heading eastbound should follow the hollow circle diversion signs and take these alternative routes: Exit M20 at junction 8 and take the third exit at the roundabout. At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto the A20. Continue on A20 until Fougeres Way, then turn north towards junction 9 to rejoin the M20 eastbound.

Drivers are warned to allow extra time or find alternate routes to avoid delays. Stay up to date with the latest info at www.trafficengland.com, through National Highways travel apps, or their regional Twitter feed. For live assistance, call the 24/7 contact centre on 0300 123 5000.08:16KEY EVENT

Eastbound carriageway still closed for miles

The eastbound carriageway of the M20 remains shut.

Google Traffic maps show queues tailing back towards Junction 7. The closure is also causing mahor traffic issues on Ashford Road running alongside the motorway.

National Highways offer key M20 update

Specialist recovery teams are currently on scene at the ongoing incident on the M20 between Junctions 8 and 9. Traffic Officers have dealt with a spillage at the location, and the westbound carriageway has now reopened, although lane three remains closed while crews continue their work to ensure the area remains safe for road users.

The eastbound carriageway remains fully closed to facilitate a detailed police investigation into the circumstances of the incident, which must be completed before the route can be safely reopened.

Westbound carriageway on M20 reopens

The National Highways has confirmed the westbound carriageway of the M20 has reopened - but lane three is still closed. Traffic is moving towards London, therefore, albeit slowly so delays are still likely. The eastbound side is still completely shut, so use the A6 instead.

Recap - M20 in Kent closed in both directions

The M20 in Kent was closed in both directions between J8 (Hollingbourne) and J9 (Ashford) due to a collision involving a van and a car.

The westbound carriageway has now re-opened with a lane 3 closure in place. Kent Police are at scene, as are National Highways Traffic Officers who are assisting with traffic management. A police led collision investigation is underway.

Horror crash follows severe smash on the same stretch of road

It comes after a crash on the M20 in August, which involved several vehicles including a HGV.

There were major delays following the crash, which happened on the London-bound carriageway. The M20 was closed for hours. It warned drivers the westbound - between the same sections, J9 for Ashford and J8 for Hollingbourne.

Kent Police were at the scene on the M20, which connects Folkestone, Kent, with other parts of the county and the M25 at Swanley, just outside of London.

Leave with plenty of time, National Highways says

If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey, the National Highways has warned. Alternative routes, such as the A20, will be busy in and around Harrietsham, Lenham, Charing and Pluckley throughout the morning.

National Highways Traffic Officers who are assisting with traffic management at the two M20 junctions in question.

Westbound diversion - traffic for London - also uses the A20

Road users travelling westbound are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on road signs:

• Exit the M20 at J9 onto Fougeres Way and at the next roundabout take the 4th exit onto the A20 heading west.
• Follow the A20 back to the M20 J8 and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the M20 westbound.

But it is expected traffic will become heavy along the A20 in the coming hours as the M20 is a major road into the capital.

Eastbound diversion uses the A20 through Harrietsham and Lenham

Road users travelling eastbound are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs:

• Exit the M20 at J8 and take the third exit at the roundabout and at the next roundabout take the first exit on to the A20

• Remain on the A20 until the junction with Fougeres Way where it will will turn northwards towards J9 of the M20 and rejoin the M20 eastbound at J9.

M20 closed in Kent in both directions

Welcome to our live coverage of this incident.

Here's everything we know so far:

• The M20 in Kent is closed in both directions between junction 8 at Hollingbourne and junction 9 at Ashford
• The crash is involving a van and a car

• Kent Police[3] and National Highways Traffic Officers are at the scene

• There are several diversions in place as the incident is ongoing

References

1. ^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Kent (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Kent Police (www.kentlive.news)