Roads around Maidstone
are passable with care today but police have
warned drivers to be wary of ice.

A police spokesman said: "The hazardous driving conditions have
caused some road closures and motorists need to adjust their
driving. Even if the snow has cleared, please be aware that this
doesn't mean roads are hazard-free. Ice has caused problems on
several roads in Kent this morning. There are also a number of
abandoned vehicles that will add to delays."

Drivers will be hoping to avoid scenes such as those witnessed
on Blue Bell and Detling Hill last night, where snow and
ice caused treacherous conditions and forced
drivers to abandon vehicles on the A249 and A229.

Gritters were called in during the early hours of the morning,
but police say the road was not officially closed at any point.
A spokesman said: "We knew the
weather was coming; we've done nothing but put out warnings.
All we can do is deal with the situation as it develops. We can't
do much about preventing people travelling."

The latest road information is:

M20 Londonbound at Junction 8 now has three lanes fully
open.

M20 Coastbound Junction 8-9 is open and tailbacks have
cleared.

A20 and A26 junctions with Seven Mile Lane are now open.

There are major delays on the A20 between Leeds Castle and
Harrietsham and drivers are being advised to avoid the area and
take alternative routes. Gritters are due there imminently.

Linton Hill is open

A229 Blue Bell Hill and the A249 Detling Hill are both open in both
directions.

At the Dartford crossing, the East tunnel is currently closed
for pothole repairs and when it opens, the West tunnel will then
close, also for repair. Currently, there are some slight delays in
the area although traffic is moving.

All other major roads in the county are open and passable with care
but most are moving slowly. Motorists need to be aware of the risk
of snow and ice across the entire road network in Kent.

A dedicated phone line for the public, which they can call for
the latest updates on road closures, has been set up. The number to
call is 01622 654321 and this line will be updated regularly.

For information about road conditions on motorways and trunk roads, check the Highway Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk.

For information on weather conditions, visit the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk

A Kent County Council spokesman said gritting teams had been
out overnight and had gritted each area twice. This morning they
are gritting according to need.

Arriva have added extra bus services in the Maidstone and
Malling areas.

Service 82 is running every 15 minutes to Park Wood. Service
85 is running every 20 minutes between Maidstone town centre and
Maidstone Hospital and Service 85 journeys are being run
to Shepway (Northumberland Road) but are unable to serve
Westmorland Road or Senacre Wood.

Service 89 is also now running between Maidstone and Coxheath.
Service 71 is running approximately every 20 minutes direct along
the London Road and turning at Town Hill roundabout at West
Malling.

Park & Ride buses are running to all three car parks at
Willington Street, Sittingbourne Road and London Road. All of
these services may be subject to delays.

Southeastern trains are running a revised service. Details are available on http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/