Drivers warned of traffic chaos as 'vehicle falls from bridge' on M20 and M25 shuts for 'police incident'

The police force is in attendance, alongside the Air Ambulance, while National Highways Traffic Officers are assisting with traffic management.

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Motorists face long delays of at least 60 minutes, with stationary traffic being seen along the M25 heading north.

Other traffic issues are being seen in Kent, with the M20 being closed in both directions between J3 (Addington) and J1 (Swanley).

This comes as a result of a collision, which shockingly resulted in a vehicle "falling from an overbridge". Emergency services, including Kent Police, are assessing the scene, alongside National Highways Traffic Officers.

Traffic maps suggest that normal traffic conditions are not expected to return for at least three hours, although this is likely to change later into the afternoon.

A spokesperson for Kent Police reported that it was called to a two-vehicle collision on the A227 overbridge near Wrotham at 11.17am this morning.

They added: "A tractor subsequently fell onto the central reservation between Junctions two and three of the M20.

"Kent Police is currently attending the scene alongside Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service, where one man has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

"Both the M20 and the A227 at the scenes remain closed while emergency services attend the incident. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes where possible."

People can be seen exiting their vehicles and walking on the carriageway of the M20 following the accident, with queues likely to remain for the coming hours.

Regarding the M25 closure, a spokesperson for Essex Police said: "At just after 11.15am today (Monday, August 18), we were called to concerns for the welfare of a person on the M25. Emergency services were deployed to the scene, and we closed both carriageways between Junctions 29 and 30.

"A person has now been taken to hospital and the road was fully re-opened at 12.45pm. Thank you to road users for your patience."

Diversion routes have been mapped out by National Highways to help motorists avoid the long delays.

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Diversion routes for the M20 incident

Westbound traffic is advised to divert via the following route

• Exit the M20 at J3 onto the M26 heading westbound
• Join the M25 anti-clockwise at J6 and continue to J5/M20 J1 to continue the journey

Eastbound traffic is advised to divert via the following route

• At the M25 J5 roundabout, drivers should join the clockwise carriageway
• Exit the M25 at J6 and join the M26 heading eastbound

Diversion routes for the M25 incident

Clockwise traffic is being diverted via the hollow triangle symbol on road signs

• Exit the M25 J29 on to the A127
• Exit at the next roundabout and take the fourth exit onto the A128
• Travel on the A128 towards Orsett
• At the Orsett Cock roundabout, take the 5th exit onto the A13 towards London
• Bear left onto the M25 and take the first exit at J30 roundabout to re-join the M25 towards Dartford Crossing

Anti-clockwise traffic is being diverted via the hollow square symbol on road signs

• From M25 Junction 30 exit slip roundabout, take the third exit onto the A13 towards Tilbury
• At the A128, bear left onto the exit slip and then take the first exit at “Orsett Cock” roundabout onto the A128 towards Brentwood
• At the "Halfway House" roundabout, take the first exit onto the A127 towards London
• Follow the A127 and take the exit slip towards M25 Junction 29, and then take the third exit at the roundabout to rejoin M25 towards Stansted