Heavy traffic and delays on M2 and M20 near Sittingbourne and Maidstone as lanes closed

Published: 07:50, 27 January 2020

Updated: 14:01, 27 January 2020

Highways bosses say emergency bridge repairs are now complete after traffic was left queueing for more than 13 miles on the M2.

The inside lane, just after the London-bound entry slip road at Junction 5 for the A249, Sittingbourne, was shut so the work could be carried out.

Traffic is mounting this morning

There were delays of an hour-and-a-half, with traffic backed up to Junction 7 for Brenley Corner.

Repairs were needed to fix a damaged bridge joint and the slip road from Stockbury roundabout was also closed to allow the work to go ahead.

However, shortly before noon, Highways England said the temporary repair had been completed and the lane closure was in the process of being removed.

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Earlier this morning, the authority tweeted: "Please be aware that there are very long delays on approach to J5 of the M2 westbound due to these repairs.

"There is now over 11-and-a-half miles of congestion, with traffic now back to Junction 7 (junction with A2 Boughton Bypass). Please allow plenty of extra time for your journey."

Traffic is backing up to junction 6

The situation was made worse by problems on Detling Hill, heading towards Maidstone, where a van and car crashed.

A diversion has been taking traffic trying to join at Junction 5 via A249 Detling Hill southbound, on to the M20 London-bound to Junction 6 and then along the A229 northbound to rejoin at M2 at Junction 3 for Blue Bell Hill.

But for a lengthy period one lane was also closed on the M20 London-bound.

Traffic was queuing for two miles from Junction 6 at Maidstone to Junction 5 at the A20, due to a broken-down vehicle in lane two.

The obstruction was cleared just before 8am.

Meanwhile a separate two-vehicle crash at Junction 6 of the opposite carriageway just before 8am saw three-mile queues build up.

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One lane was closed and delays of 15 minutes were experienced as fire crews cut a casualty free.

Two fire engines attended and crews used hydraulic rescue equipment to free one person trapped inside a van, who was handed into the care of paramedics.

On Blue Bell Hill a minor crash is causing disruption heading towards Maidstone.

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