Cars, lorries and vans ground to a halt this morning as a key tunnel route remained half-shut.

Rush-hour commuters moved at an exasperating slow and stop pace as traffic bottle-necked on the London-bound carriageway approaching the A20 Roundhill Tunnel, outside Folkestone.

Vehicles barely moved beyond second gear to get from the warning signs 800 yards in advance to out at the other end of the tunnel.

Our own reporter's journey was delayed by 20 minutes just after 8am and he saw no workmen on the site.

One lane is closed, with now temporary barriers in place following damage inside the tunnel found last week.

National Highways had closed it last Wednesday after a routine inspection of the bridge led to the discovery of damage to the parapet 15 metres after the tunnel.

It is not known what caused the damage.

The lane closure is between the A260 and the M20 Junction 13 and diversions were in place via the A259 and A268. The temporary safety barrier was installed on Thursday night.

The route is the only direct way from the Port of Dover to Ashford and Maidstone.

National Highways had warned of delays on the route but this only meant brief slowdowns for vehicles at the end of last week.