TRAFFIC UPDATE: Motorway reopens after bridge collapse

Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent can now use the M20 motorway after it reopened following a bridge collapse.
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie MitchellThe collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

Highways England said the northbound lanes were fully reopened and two out of three of the southbound lanes had reopened after being closed between junctions one and four for more than a day.

The closure comes after a lorry struck a footbridge in Kent yesterday, causing it to collapse. Read more here.

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Prior to the reopening, Highways England south east operations manager Gary Coleman said everything was being done to reopen the motorway again, but safety had to come first both for workers and drivers.

The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie MitchellThe collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

“We are facing a real challenge to lift two HGVs and a motorbike clear of the scene and deal with all of the rubble from the collapsed bridge strewn across both carriageways.
“There is also the issue of the remaining part of the footbridge, which is still in place over the coast-bound side of the motorway. We have crews on scene ready to take action as soon as the police have completed their investigation. We also have cranes en route and lighting so work can continue through the night.

“We are doing everything we can to safely reopen the motorway, but we’d ask drivers to please bear with us as this is a complex operation and it will take time and skill to complete. We’ll keep everyone updated.”

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The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie MitchellThe collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

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