Three incidents have blocked part of Blue Bell Hill and caused traffic gridlock tonight.

An accident involving a motorbike happened just before 6pm on the Chatham-bound carriageway of the A229, at Maidstone.

A police spokesman said it was difficult to provide full details as callers to the force HQ kept losing their mobile phone signals.

Blue Bell Hill is known to be a blackspot for phone receptions. The callers said a motorbike was in the road and requested assistance, saying there had been several “near misses” as other drivers suddenly came across the vehicle.

Shortly after this a lorry and a car were involved in a collision and then another car broke down.

Motorists have reported traffic at a standstill around Blue Bell Hill, the Running Horse roundabout and Maidstone town centre.