Heavy rain causes delays and difficult driving conditions across Kent on M20, M2, A2 and A249
08:19, 11 November 2019
updated: 10:01, 11 November 2019
Heavy rain overnight has caused difficult driving conditions and led to delays across Kent.
Large amounts of standing water have been reported on several key roads, including on the M20 coastbound between junction 9 and junction 10.
The A249 between Stockbury and Maidstone has also been affected, along with parts of the A2.
Police have warned motorists about heavy surface water, particularly in the Ashford area, and advised drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them.
It comes as a crash involving four vehicles blocked the M2 London-bound between junction 5 for Sittingbourne and junction 4 for Gillingham.
Travel time in the area is said to be 40 minutes.
Witnesses are also reporting a crash on the M2 coastbound near Faversham, involving a van, a lorry, and with debris spread across the motorway.
It comes as a flood alert was been issued by the Environment Agency for the Upper River Stour.
Communities on the Great Stour from Charing Heath to the A2070 including Ashford, on the East Stour, at Whitewater and Ruckinge Dykes, and the Aylesford Stream are being warned of potential flooding.
The agency said: "River levels have risen as a result of persistent heavy rainfall.
"We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads along the East Stour River, particularly around Mersham, the Aylesford Stream, particularly in Willesborough, the Great Stour and East Stour River, particularly in and around Ashford, Great Chart, Stone Cross and Sellindge.
"We expect river levels to begin falling later in the afternoon around Ashford and later downstream of Ashford.
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