There were lengthy delays on the A2 following reports of a multi-vehicle crash.

National Highways reported online there had been a collision on the coastbound carriageway near the Pepper Hill junction at Southfleet.

Emergency services, including police, fire and ambulance crews were reportedly scrambled to the scene near Gravesend before 6pm. Traffic monitoring too Inrix said the carriageway had been blocked due to a multi-vehicle crash.

One eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, told KentOnline: “I drove past it and was only able to glance, the traffic is in absolute chaos, three lanes are blocked by debris, vehicles and people.

“As I passed there were no emergency services on scene and it appeared to have happened very recently.

“I looped back around to the other side to see if I could go back and help but as I did I saw seven emergency vehicles trying to get to the scene down the coastbound carriageway.

“They were really struggling to get through the traffic. I just hope everyone will come out okay.”

National Highways posted an update on X, formerly Twitter, at 8pm to say all lanes had reopened and traffic was flowing freely.

There were also problems on the A2 near the A2018 Dartford Heath junction shortly before 6pm which saw drivers delayed.

Heavy congestion stretched back between the Black Prince Interchange at Bexley and junction 2 of the M25.

Elsewhere in the county, traffic was temporarily held on the M20 coastbound due to reports of an earlier accident.

It is understood the traffic was stopped between Junction 4 of the A228, Castle Way and junction 5 at Aylesford but traffic conditions have since returned to normal.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called just before 5.40pm to a two-vehicle collision near junction five on the M20.

“Officers attended and no injuries were reported”.