M20 traffic LIVE: London commuters face huge delays as motorway CLOSED
Commuters into London[1] face long delays this morning as part of the M20 is closed following a crash[2]. The section between junction 8 at Hollingbourne and junction 9 at Ashford in Kent[3] is shut in both directions and the diversions will add significant time to journeys, the National Highways warns. The M20 connects the county with the capital.
The smash happened just after 12am today but the recovery operation continues, authorities said. Kent Police are assisting with the work, which the National Highways believes will still take several hours. For updates on the M20 crash, follow our live blog below...
05:49Bradley JollyRecap - 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.
03:34Bradley JollyHorror 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.
02:38Bradley JollyLeave 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.
02:21KEY EVENTWestbound 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.
02:20Bradley JollyEastbound 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 Eastbound diversion route02:06KEY EVENT
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
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Kent Police[4] and National Highways Traffic Officers are at the scene
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There are several diversions in place as the incident is ongoing