Drivers have been warned to expect disruptions and delays this morning due to a serious incident impacting a major motorway.
The M2 in Kent is closed eastbound between J1 Three Crutches Interchange (Gillingham, Grain (A228) A289 in Rochester, Strood A2) and J3 Bluebell Hill Interchange in Maidstone, Chatham A229, as well as on the Channel Tunnel (M20).
The incident also encompasses J2 Merrals Shaw Interchange (Rochester, West Malling A228), with National Highways currently unable to detail an estimated reopening time.
The junctions were closed earlier this morning with Kent Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and National Highways on scene to help deal with the serious incident.
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
|Normal road conditions are expected to return by midday
National Highways has now put a diversion in place for drivers to help divert some of the traffic away from the area, which is currently moving at 10mph.
Road users have been advised to follow the Solid Circle diversion symbol on local road signs and exit the M2 at J1 and enter the A289 headed eastbound.
Drivers should remain on the A289 negotiating the roundabout at Four Elms, the Medway Tunnel, Lower Gillingham, Yokosuku Way and Ito Way before meeting the roundabout junction with the A2.
They need to take the A2 headed eastbound and travel to the roundabout with the A278 and then take the A278 headed southbound to re-join the M2 at J4.
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
|The junction has been closed to allow police and emergency services to attend the scene
According to reports, the agency expects normal traffic conditions to return to the road between 12pm and 12.15pm later today.
National Highways shared: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Updating drivers, the agency stated that the M2 remains closed eastbound between J1 and J3 in Kent while police remain working on the scene.
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A Kent Police spokesman told GB News: "Kent Police is currently attending a report of concern for a person seen near the carriageway between junctions 2 and 3 of the coastbound M2.
"Road closures are in place while officers are at the scene, and drivers are advised to follow the diversions in place."
According to the RAC, junctions 1 and 2 of the M2 are the most likely to see incidents due to them supporting the heavy traffic in the southeast of England.
The RAC shared: "Junction 1, where the A2 spans onto the M2 and branches off into the A289 and into the town of Strood. With so much going on you can expect traffic to build up. If you’re taking the exit, make sure you get in the correct lane early and watch out for cars flowing onto the M2."
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
|Drivers have been urged to follow the diverted route in place
The RAC added: "The M2 is one of the smallest motorways within the UK and rolls on from the widened A2 which stems from southeast London. As this road spans from the capital, it can become quite congested.
"Do take your time and be mindful of these accident blackspots. Use the RAC Route Planner for up to date M2 traffic news to help you find the best route to take."