M2 in Kent stays shut both ways after a serious crash near Medway Services as miles of queues build

Both lanes of the M2 were shut from 9.10pm on Tuesday following a serious crash on the coastbound side near Medway Services in Kent. Accident investigation work is ongoing; the coastbound stretch between junctions three and five is unlikely to open before 3.45pm–4pm, while the London-bound section between junctions five and four is expected to clear sooner, around noon.

Tailbacks have reached three miles on the London-bound side and two miles coastbound, with knock-on congestion spreading to the A249, A229 and A2 near Rainham.

London-bound traffic is being diverted via the A249 to the M20; coastbound drivers are being sent along the A229 through Maidstone and back onto the A249.

A driver from Sittingbourne described conditions as "mayhem", saying it took 30 minutes to travel half a mile along London Road.