TRAFFIC was gridlocked from Eastry to Broadstairs and around south Thanet early today after a road accident caused early morning chaos.

Three people, including a 28-year-old man with suspected spinal injuries, were taken to the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate following the accident near Ebbsfleet Lane at Cliffsend at 5.45am between two vehicles.

Frustrated rush-hour drivers waited hours to move a short distance as the traffic jam worsened. Some abandoned their vehicles by the roadside and set off on foot.

Shortcuts and alternative routes also became jammed as motorists tried to get to work and school.

Nearly three years ago campaigners for better roads around Thanet warned that the existing network could not cope with an increase in traffic volume and called for improvements after the island ground to a halt when MArgate seafront was closed off for two days following an arcade fire.

This morning kmfm for Thanet broadcaster Johnny Lewis was busy relaying updated traffic reports to warn people away from the area.

He said: "It was one of the worst jams we have reported on. Calls started coming in from 5.50am and it very soon became clear there was a major problem."