One lane remains closed as long delays hit London-bound traffic near Leybourne and Aylesford
A family has escaped serious injuries following a multi-vehicle collision on the M20 smart motorway, prompting long delays for drivers heading London-bound through Kent.
The incident occurred shortly after 1:05pm between Junction 4 (A228 Leybourne/Snodland) and Junction 3 (M26 interchange). Emergency services were quickly on scene and traffic was temporarily held, causing heavy tailbacks.
According to early reports, one lane remains closed, with congestion stretching back to Junction 5 (Aylesford).
National Highways and Kent Police confirmed that all involved parties were accounted for and no life-threatening injuries were sustained.
Traffic and Travel Summary:
- Location: M20 Westbound (J4 to J3)
- Incident Type: Multi-vehicle collision
- Impact: One lane closed, long delays
- Traffic Held: Around 13:05 for emergency response
- Current Congestion: Back to J5 (Aylesford), affecting routes through West Malling, Leybourne, and Snodland
Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journeys or consider alternative routes while recovery work continues. Delays are expected to last through the afternoon peak.
Smart Motorway Concerns
This incident has renewed concerns about smart motorway safety, with critics arguing that limited hard shoulder space contributes to increased collision risk. No official comment has yet been issued by National Highways regarding whether the smart motorway format played a role in the crash.
