M26 finally re-opens after lorry fire but delays remain
Road users continue to face long delays around the M26 as the motorway has finally re-opened this afternoon (Thursday, December 12) following an earlier lorry fire. The incident was first reported at around 9am and the coastbound carriageway of the motorway was subsequently closed between Junction 5 of the M25[1] near Sevenoaks[2] and Junction 2a of the M26 for Wrotham Heath. Around two miles of traffic were trapped on the motorway as a result and had to be gradually released throughout the day through rearward relief.
Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS)[3] attended the scene, with four fire engines and a bulk water carrier taking to the M26. After the blaze was brought under control, responders then worked to clear the carriageway and check the road's surface for damage. This meant that the motorway remained shut throughout the morning and the early afternoon, resulting in delays of around 1.5 hours at the incident's peak.
Queues stretched back along the M25 anti-clockwise, reaching as far as Junction 6 near Godstone. At 3.07pm, National Highways announced the M26 coastbound had at least been fully re-opened. However, considerable congestion remains on the approach, with around 12 miles of traffic and delays of one hour reported.
National Highways has advised road users: "If planning to travel in the area please allow extra time for your journeys." At the time of writing, slow moving traffic persists along the M25 anti-clockwise towards Junction 6. Journeys are then flowing smoother from the M26 coastbound onward toward the M20 and beyond.
All future updates to this ongoing incident will be shared to our ongoing live blog here[4].
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References
- ^ M25 (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Sevenoaks (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ here (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Find out more here. (www.kentlive.news)