Full Breakdown
Dual Crashes Disrupt Kent’s M20 Motorway on Wednesday Morning
By Drooid · · How we work
M20 Closures After Dual Crashes
Early Wednesday morning two separate collisions forced the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the M20 to be shut. A vehicle veered off the eastbound lane between junction 8 (Lenham) and junction 9 (Ashford), igniting a fire that prompted a large emergency-services response. Later, a two-vehicle collision on the westbound side near junction 5 (Aylesford) caused a half-hour lane closure. Both incidents generated significant tailbacks before the motorway was fully reopened.
Timeline of the Incidents
- Just before 06:00 BST – Kent Police receive the first call about the eastbound crash; fire crews and technical rescue units are dispatched.
- Around 06:15 BST – The westbound collision near junction 5 leads to the closure of two of four lanes; all westbound lanes are back in service by 07:30 BST.
- Shortly after 06:00 BST – Emergency services work on the eastbound fire; the carriageway remains closed for “a number of hours” while National Highways conducts an investigation.
- Approximately 14:30 BST – The eastbound section reopens after the investigation and recovery are completed.
Official Statements & Traffic Guidance
Kent Police confirmed their officers were called to the single-vehicle incident shortly before 6 a.m. “Our officers were called to the incident involving one vehicle shortly before 6am this morning.” — Kent Police National Highways advised freight traffic bound for Dover to divert onto the A2 and M2, and urged other motorists to exit at junction 8 for the A20 and rejoin at junction 9. Kent Fire and Rescue Service reported deploying three fire engines and a technical rescue unit to the scene.
Data & Statistics
- Westbound lane closure lasted roughly 30 minutes, with all lanes reopened by 07:30 BST.
- Eastbound closure persisted for about eight hours, with the road reopening around 14:30 BST.
- National Highways recorded an average delay of ten minutes for drivers approaching the eastbound closure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our officers were called to the incident involving one vehicle shortly before 6am this morning.” — Kent Police