Drivers are facing long delays this morning following a serious crash which has closed the A249 in both directions between Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

A car is said to have overturned and landed on a roadside barrier just before 4.30am.

The road is shut between the M2 junction 5 at the Stockbury Roundabout and the M20 junction 7 at the turn-off for Detling.

To help with traffic management, traffic currently cannot leave the M2 coast-bound at junction 5.

Queues are stretching back to the Bobbing Roundabout heading south from Sittingbourne.

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police was called to a one-vehicle collision on the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway of the A249 near Stockbury at 4.25am.

“Emergency services are at the scene and the A249 is currently closed in both directions while the incident is responded to.

“Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible.”

Today is the first day drivers have been able to use the new A249 slip road as part of the ongoing upgrade of junction 5.

The extent of any injuries is not yet known.

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UPDATE: A man in his 20s has died at the scene.