A large section of motorway was closed for several hours due to a “police incident”.

The coastbound carriageway of the M20 was shut between junction 8 for Maidstone and junction 9 for Ashford throughout the evening (November 15).

National Highways confirmed the road reopened at about 11.45pm.

Traffic was also held on the London-bound carriageway but was later released.

There was around one mile of congestion on the approach to the closure.

National Highways said it was due to a “police-led” incident at around 8pm.

A police spokesperson said: “A temporary road closure was put in place between junction eight and nine of the M20 on the evening of Friday 15 November 2024 as part of a police investigation.”

It comes after traffic was temporarily held on the London-bound stretch of the motorway between junction 6 for Blue Bell Hill and junction 4 for Leybourne earlier following reports of “animals in the road”.

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