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A three-day police search of an “unusual appearance of soil” has ended after nothing suspicious was found.
Forensics experts had been combing through woodland along the A227 Gravesend Road, between Vigo and Wrotham, since around midday on Sunday.
Police had shut the road while they carried out their search, but the force has this afternoon confirmed nothing significant was found.
Yesterday, a police spokesman said experts were “currently analysing an unusual appearance of the soil in nearby woodland”.
The road was closed between Fairseat Lane and Vigo Hill for more than 30 hours but reopened yesterday (Monday) shortly after 6pm.
Motorists had to take long diversions via the A20, A228, M2 and A227, which caused considerable delays.
Today, a police spokesman added: ”Kent Police received a report at 11.45am on Sunday related to possible suspicious activity and an unusual appearance of soil, in woodland near the A227, Gravesend Road.
“The area of woodland was later inspected by forensic experts and nothing suspicious was found.”
The site is around three miles from where Ben Lacomba, who is in prison for the murder of Sarah Wellgreen, was last seen on the night of her disappearance.
It’s understood the search wasn’t linked to any other investigations and a member of the public reported concerns about a large depression in the soil which is believed to have been a natural occurrence.
The spokesman thanked motorists and residents in the area for their patience.
The woodland is part of the North Downs and near a number of footpaths and a byway, including the ancient Pilgrims Way.