There are major delays on the M20 following a horror crash on the motorway heading into London.
The M20 is closed in Kent following a multi-vehicle crash, National Highways confirmed. It warned drivers the westbound between section J9 for Ashford and J8 for Hollingbourne, both in Kent, won't reopen until around 10am.
Diversions are in place but these will add significant time onto journeys. Kent Police are 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.
The crash comes amid heavy rain and flooding risks across southern England. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, with up to 70mm of rain expected in parts of Kent, Essex, Sussex, Surrey, London and south Wales. "Heavy showers and longer spells of heavy rain may bring some disruption to transport and infrastructure," it warned.
The forecaster says Brits living in 30 areas might want to consider preparing an "emergency" kit with three items.
National Highways has warned that disruption could continue as repairs and recovery work take place.
The M20 in Kent remains closed between Ashford and Maidstone, now entering its sixth hour of shutdown after a crash reportedly involving two lorries and two cars. National Highways has warned drivers it won't re-open until around 10am.
Workers are still at the scene of the crash in Kent this morning trying to clean up debris and repair a damaged central reservation. Drivers have been warned to expect delays.
This morning's crash saw a "large amount" of debris flung onto the carriageway, sparking a clear-up and repair operation. The M20 remains closed westbound between J9 (Ashford) and J8 (Maidstone) due to the multi-vehicle collision. It is not yet clear when the road is expected to open.
National Highways contractors have been sent to the crash site to assist with clear-up works and repairs this morning. Delays are ongoing.
A stretch of the motorway remains closed westbound between J9 Ashford and J8 Maidstone after two cars and two lorries were said to have crashed on the carriageway towards London.
National Highways has confirmed the central reservation on the M20 was damaged in the collision.
Drivers are now facing long delays, with three lanes closed heading westbound. The crash, involving two cars and two HGVs, happened at around 3:30am.
The crash reportedly involved two cars and two lorries, causing debris on the carriageway.
Kent Online says it happened at around 3.30am and the road was quickly closed. Traffic is only starting to build significantly as we approach rush hour.
Alternative routes are limited so National Highways stresses drivers must use the one it has selected.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Thanks for your patience if you've been held up."
The service has not confirmed if drivers have been released as yet at junction nine.
Even when this is the case, the traffic is expected to crawl through to at least junction eight.
The journey from the Ashford junction to the M25 link near Swanley would usually take around 45 minutes but motorists will be delayed due to the smash today.
National Highways has not given an estimate on exactly how long this stretch will take motorists today.
But cameras show the motorway is deserted – as drivers follow the diversion the Mirror previously flagged in this blog.
National Highways statement in full reads: "The M20 in Kent is closed westbound between J9 (Ashford) and J8 (Maidstone) due to a multi-vehicle collision.
"Emergency services are on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management.
"There is a large amount of debris across the carriageway and damage to the central reservation barrier. National Highways contractors will be attending to assist with clear-up works and repairs."
Drivers are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol:
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.
National Highways says the crash is a "multi-vehicle collision".
However, it is unclear how many vehicles are involved at this stage.
Emergency services are present, it is reported.
The #M20 in #Kent remains closed westbound between J9 (#Ashford) and J8 (#Maidstone) due to a multi-vehicle collision.
We're making plans to get traffic caught within the closure moving past the scene of the incident.
Thanks for your ongoing patience. pic.twitter.com/NfHdDwhTv6
Three lanes are closed on the M20 westbound between junctions J9 and J8 after a road traffic collision.
Traffic is expected to clear between 10:15 and 10:30, it is believed. Normal traffic conditions are believed to return by around this time.
Delays are starting to build.
A section of the westbound M20 is shut from Ashford at junction nine to junction eight for Hollingbourne.
It means drivers face lengthy delays this morning as they follow a diversion.
National Highways says this is because of a road traffic collision.
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