A main route has now reopened, more than three hours after a crash involving two cars.

The A289 Wainscott Bypass was shut in both directions at about 4.20pm following the collision, which happened between Lower Rochester Road and the A226 Gravesend Road.

In the aftermath, congestion was backing up to the M2, around the Wainscott Bypass.

Traffic along the A226, through Higham, was also queuing, and there was congestion in Strood.

Commuters trying to leave the Medway City Estate said traffic was queuing by the roundabout and into the Medway Tunnel.

Commuter, Louise Rosique, saw a helicopter fly over the Wainscott Bypass.

Sitting in the traffic she said: "I’m currently on the A289 not too far from incident.

"The emergency services struggled to get through the traffic but everyone is waiting patiently and respectfully.

"I hope all involved are ok."

The road was reopened by 7.30pm and traffic has since cleared.

It was one of a series of crashes to cause rush-hour disruption this evening.

In Sittingbourne, Mill Way was also partially blocked due to an accident between a lorry and two cars near Dominos.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called at 4.55pm to reports of a collision involving a lorry and two cars on Mill Way, Sittingbourne.

"Officers attended the scene and no injuries were reported."

The road has now cleared and traffic is reported to have returned to normal.

Meanwhile, at Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge, the road was partially blocked in both directions due to a collision around Priory Road.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called at 4.05pm to reports of a collision involving two cars on the A26, Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge.

"Officers attended the scene and no injuries were reported."

Traffic has now returned to normal.

More as we have it.