Drivers have been warned to expect delays this morning after a vehicle fire caused junctions along a major motorway to close.
The M20 westbound/Londonbound in Kent is currently closed between Junction 3 (M26) and Junction 1 (M25) due to a lorry fire which occurred at roughly 5:30am this morning.
Kent Fire & Rescue Services attended and extinguished the fire, with emergency work now getting underway to help tackle the debris left over from the fire.
There are currently delays of 45 minutes on the approach to the closure, with National Highways putting in place a diversion route.
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The lorry fire occured earlier this morning at roughly 5:30am
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The agency urged drivers to use the M26 and M25 instead and warned that if the closure impacts on planned route, "please allow extra journey time or even delay your journey".
Updating drivers, National Highways shared on X: "Traffic caught up within the M20 westbound closure is being released past the scene in lane 3.
"Carriageway remains closed between J3 and J1 (M25). Long delays on approach to the closure."
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return later today between 2:45pm and 3pm.
The M20 westbound in Kent is currently closed between Junction 3 (M26) and Junction 1 (M25)
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Kent Fire and Rescue Service shared: "[We] were called to reports of a lorry alight on the M20 between junctions 1 and 2, London-bound.
"Two fire engines attended, and crews wearing breathing apparatus, used main jets to extinguish the flames.
One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics due to smoke inhalation, and the cause is not yet known.
"National Highways was also in attendance to assist with closing the road while firefighting operations and vehicle recovery took place."
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Normal traffic conditions are expected to return by 3pm later today
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
According to the RAC, The M20 is a major link to Europe and attracts a variety of vehicles, from towing trucks and load-bearing lorries to cars and caravans.
The RAC shared: "As a result, the M20 is one of the most frequently used networks in the UK. When driving along the M20, be mindful of the following accident hotspots. Keep up to date with major M20 traffic news by preparing ahead of time with the RAC Route Planner.
The motorway is 52 miles long and is one of the most frequently used routes into London, especially for traffic coming from Calais.