Drivers have been warned of severe delays near Dover this morning following a multi-vehicle collision, which has caused traffic to crawl to a halt.
The incident took place on the M20 in Kent and has caused the motorway to close westbound between J9 (Ashford) and J8 (Maidstone).
The collision occurred near Ashford, with the motorway lanes being closed at around 8:35am this morning to allow emergency services to make their way to the scene.
Kent Police quickly arrived at the site, followed by National Highways Traffic Officers and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
National Highways warned that traffic on the eastbound carriageway has been stopped to allow Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex to land at the scene.
The organisation has now put in a diversion for motorists, which takes them from the Port of Dover and instead encourages them to use the A2/M2 for London
Drivers have been advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol, which has a height limit of 4.7m.
The M20 is currently closed between J9 and J8 following a multi-vehicle collision
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The diversion instructs drivers to use the M20 and at J9 take the first exit towards Ashford/Canterbury.
At the next roundabout, drivers should take the third 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.
The agency shared: “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 collision is expected to cause delays for several hours while emergency services attend the scene
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return between 11:15am and 11:30am later this morning.
Updating drivers, National Highways shared on X: “M20 westbound closed J9 in Ashford to J8 in Maidstone following a multi-vehicle collision. Traffic stopped eastbound for an air ambulance to land.
“Traffic leaving Port ofDover is advised to use the A2/M2 for London.”
Drivers have been advised to follow the diversion in place
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A Kent Police spokesperson said: Kent Police was called at 7.26am on Tuesday, November 25, to a report that a car had collided with the central reservation and then left the westbound carriageway of the M20, between junctions 9 and 8.”
The M20 is situated between London and Folkestone and acts as an important pathway from the Channel Ports heading into the capital.
The three-lane motorway merges from the A20 and passes through Maidstone, Ashford, in the southeastern part of the UK.