Home   Maidstone   News   Article

M20: Multiple crashes as drivers struggle with snow and ice

Several serious accidents forced the closure of the M20 amid hazardous driving conditions in freezing temperatures.

Drivers faced closures and delays for hours following a series of pile-ups, but the motorway has since reopened.

This morning, a lorry, a van and four cars collided on the London bound carriageway between Junction 7 for Maidstone and Detling Hill and Junction 5 for the A20 for the London Road and Coldharbour Lane at Aylesford.

Pic: @CheviRanx
Pic: @CheviRanx

Firefighters were called to another crash on the coastbound carriageway between junctions 8 and 9.

Two cars, two lorries and two vans were involved.

Highways officers were also there and speed limits of 30mph were put in place.

Elsewhere, David Pryor-Jordan recorded shocking footage of a truck skidding across the road and crashing into several parked cars at junction 4.

He said: "It is horrific. There was no gritting and it is just sheet ice on the road. People are slipping over on the ice and you can't walk on it.

"I saw an accident ahead so I pressed record on my phone which was on my dashboard and I saw a van overtake and it crashed.

"People need to see how scary it is out there. Okay there is now snow on the ground but it is so slippery."

Pic: @CheviRanx
Pic: @CheviRanx

The scene is now clear and all lanes closure have been removed westbound between J6 and J5. Delays are easing and traffic is flowing well.

The coastbound slip road at Junction 8 (Leeds Castle/Maidstone Services) was also closed due to the accident, but is now open.

The M20 coastbound at Junction 4 for Leybourne and Snodland was also blocked following a van fire, but this has since reopened too.

Pic: @CheviRanx
Pic: @CheviRanx

And traffic was queueing on the M20 London bound between Junction 2 for Wrotham and Brands Hatch and the M25 Junction 3, but congestion has since cleared.

Listen to kmfm for travel and weather updates and follow our live snow blog here.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More