Traffic is getting back to normal after repair works were carried out on a collapsed manhole.

One lane was closed on the exit slip road of the London-bound carriageway of the M2 at junction 5 for Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

At one point, queues stretched back five miles on the approach to the slip road.

Planned maintenance on the motorway viaduct, which spans the valley, was due to be finished last night.

However, a motorist who was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes said there were no signs of road works.

She said: "The left hand lane was completely closed off and the only thing I saw was men in hi-vis jackets picking up litter."

A Highways England spokesperson said:“Safety is Highways England’s top priority.

"One lane is closed on the M2 London-bound exit slip road for emergency repairs to a manhole cover.

"We are working hard with our contractors to carry out the repairs and reopen the lane as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The road was reopened at 4pm.