A stretch of the M25 in Kent is back open today after having to be partially closed since Saturday following a crash.

Barrier repairs had to be carried out on the clockwise carriageway near J5 for Sevenoaks where the motorway goes over the M26.

It led to long delays, with traffic yesterday queuing for six miles during the morning rush-hour.

Speaking before the repair work, a Highways Agency spokesman said: "The lane was closed for safety reasons after a van collided with a safety barrier which runs alongside the M25 as it goes over the M26 in Kent.

"Structural engineering experts who were called to the scene and who have assessed the barrier have concluded that should there be another collision in the same place the barrier may not now be strong enough to prevent a vehicle from ending up on the M26 below.

"After careful consideration and taking into account the location, nature of the repairs required and the Highways Agency's responsibility to ensure the ongoing safety of drivers, the agency has decided that the best solution is to keep the lane closure on until a temporary repair can be carried out overnight on Monday 21 July, ahead of a permanent repair at a later date."

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