A section of the M2 has been reopened after fears of the safety of a bridge - but delays are continuing.

The motorway was shut between J5 and J6 of the coast-bound carriageway for Sittingbourne and Faversham at about 2pm.

Kent Police said an expansion gap on the Stockbury Viaduct, which crosses the A249, sparked concerns.

But it was reopened about an hour later after a structural engineer said there was "no risk to the integrity of the road".

However, commuters were warned that congestion could stretch into the rush-hour.

Delays quickly began to build and stretched back to J4 for Gillingham by 3pm.

The incident is close to where a huge 15ft dene hole was discovered in the middle of the M2 carriageway, leading to traffic chaos in the Sittingbourne and Faversham areas.