Angry motorists have taken to social media after being forced to wait several hours after a major crash caused miles of tailbacks.

The M2 finally reopened at 1am this morning - around 10 hours after the crash involving a car transporter and two lorries yesterday afternoon.

The coast-bound motorway was shut between junction 6 for Faversham and junction 7 for Brenley Corner after the smash which happened shortly after 3pm.

The collision saw traffic backing up all the way to junction 5 for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, but later police confirmed they had closed junction 5 of the A249 to prevent any more traffic building up on the road.

Some drivers complained on social media they had been stuck in the traffic behind the crash site for more than four hours.

One angry driver, who had complained to Highways England about others using the hard shoulder to escape the delays, was told they didn't have the powers to fine them.

Mickie M said: "You have powers to sort this mess out in a reasonable time though. 6 and a half hours and you still haven't managed it!?!"

Others hit out at the fact motorists were allowed to join the motorway when it was clear there was nowhere they could go.

Ann Pilkington said: "Some lessons to learn here about why traffic was still being allowed to join when was clear road would be shut for hours."

Lindsey also complained about the lack of water during the queues.

She said: "People have been stuck for 4+ hours in this weather without a drink! Not good."

One lane reopened just before 11pm but the road was not fully reopened until 1am.

Drivers also endured long delays on alternative routes, and yesterday afternoon Highways England were warning motorists the road could be closed late into the evening.

However, many motorists complained the authorities were not keeping them up to date with traffic information and others criticized police for allowing more motorists to join the motorway after the smash.

Alan Faulkner tweeted KCC Highways as traffic was still being allowed to join the motorway.

Others said signposting in other areas was not good enough.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were all called to the scene.

Highways England later says there were "severe delays" with queues going all the way back to junction 5 for Sittingbourne.

Police then confirmed they had closed junction 5 of the A249 coastbound to prevent any more traffic from getting joining the motorway.

In a joint statement, Kent Police and Highways England said: "The collision caused a large diesel spillage on the carriageway and the road was closed to clean the diesel and make the surface safe.

"The recovery operation to clear the heavy goods vehicles involved in the collision was complex and required specialist equipment.

"Due to the complex nature of the recovery, there were subsequent delays in re-opening the carriageway.

"However, officers from Kent Police and Traffic Officers from Highways England worked to ensure the carriageway could be reopened as quickly as possible.

"We provided information to local radio and TV broadcasters, traffic information services and also via social media.

"We understand the frustration felt by motorists who were stuck in the queues and wish to assure them we did everything we could to get the traffic moving again with the safety and welfare of all road-users firmly in mind.

"Officers from Kent Police were on hand to deal with any reported emergencies and helped remove two women from the queue for medical reasons."