The A2 in Kent remains partially closed this afternoon (October 18) following a "serious" crash this morning. The west-bound carriageway has been shut between the A260 (Denton) and the A2050 Canterbury since around 7am.
Kent Police has confirmed a man in his 60s has died after the crash, which involved three vehicles. Officers have been at the scene for most of the day undertaking "accident investigation work", while National Highways service providers have been assisting with traffic management.
The west-bound exit slip road onto the A260 towards Denton is also closed. A National Highways spokesperson said: "Traffic is being diverted via local routes.
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"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
A Kent County Council (KCC) Highways spokesperson added: "Barham, A2. The Canterbury-bound carriageway at the A260 Barham junction is closed due to an RTC. Emergency services in attendance. Expect delays in the area and approach with caution."
KentLive has approached emergency services for further information. If you have any information, including pictures or videos of traffic in the area, please contact KentLive athedi.mehrez@reachplc.com.
This is a breaking news story. Updates as we have them will be shared in the blog below
Key Events
Road has reopened after 10 hours
KEY EVENT
Road has reopened after 10 hours
Part of the A2 closed to traffic for the past 10 hours has now reopened.
The accident happened early this morning and there has been long delays for drivers ever since.
Delays have now eased though follwing the crash on A2 London bound from the A260 / Channel Tunnel turn-off (Aylesham / Womenswold, Barham) to A2050 (Canterbury East / Bridge, Canterbury).
Sam Honey
Congestion and closure remains
The latest Inrix update confirms that congestion is persisting as the A2 London-bound remains closed while accident investigation works take place between the A260/Channel Tunnel turn-off and the A2050 for Canterbury East and Bridge. Traffic has built to to the A257 Littlebourne Road and is diverting into Canterbury.
Sam Honey
Canterbury-bound carriageway remains closed
UPDATE - Barham, A2. The Canterbury bound carriageway remains closed at the A260 Barham junction due to an RTC. Emergency services & National Highways are in attendance. Expect delays in the surrounding areas & approach with caution: https://t.co/PFoSXXl0ix
— KCC Highways (@KentHighways) October 18, 2023
Hedi Mehrez
Man dies following crash
A man in his 60s has died following the three-vehicle crash. It was reported that a blue BMW 3 Series was joining the A2 via the slip road when it was involved in a collision with a silver Vauxhall Corsa and a white DAF lorry.
Read more HERE
Sam Honey
Delays remain
The latest Inrix update states: "A2 London bound closed, delays due to accident investigation work from the A260 / Channel Tunnel turn-off (Aylesham / Womenswold, Barham) to A2050 (Canterbury East / Bridge, Canterbury). Congestion to the A257 Littlebourne Road, diverting into Canterbury."
Sam Honey
National Highways update
A spokesperson for National Highways has said: "The A2 in Kent is closed westbound between the A260 (Denton) and the A2050 (Canterbury) due to a serious collision involving three vehicles. Kent Police are in attendance and leading the scene whilst undertaking accident investigation works. National Highways service providers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management.
"The westbound exit slip road onto the A260 towards Denton is also closed. Traffic is being diverted via local routes. If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Hedi Mehrez
Road remains closed
As of 11.33am, the road remains closed according to Inrix. It reads: "A2 Westbound closed, delays due to accident investigation work from the A260 / Channel Tunnel turn-off (Aylesham / Womenswold, Barham) to A2050 (Canterbury East / Bridge, Canterbury)."
Hedi Mehrez
Queueing traffic
In its latest update, Inrix said: "A2 Westbound closed, queueing traffic due to accident investigation work from A260 (Aylesham / Womenswold, Womenswold) to A2050 (Canterbury East / Bridge, Bekesbourne)."
Hedi Mehrez
Buses being diverted
Stagecoach informed its passengers that services 12 and 15 are being diverted due to the crash on the A2.
Hedi Mehrez
Heavy traffic
Google traffic shows this crash is still causing delays on the A2 at 10am.
Hedi Mehrez
Firefighters assist with 'scene safety'
Firefighters rushed to the scene this morning. Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called at 6.44am today (October 18) to assist Kent Police.
A KFRS spokesperson said: "Two fire engines attended, and crews assisted with scene safety."
The crew left the scene at 8.34am.
Hedi Mehrez
Two cars and lorry involved
Officers are at the scene of the incident, which involved two cars and a lorry. A police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called to a serious collision on the A2, Londonbound near Barham, at 6.42am
"Officers have closed the carriageway and put a diversion in place. The South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service are also in attendance and motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible."
Hedi Mehrez
Traffic between Dover and Canterbury
Traffic between Dover and Canterbury is currently affected, according to traffic monitoring site Inrix.
Hedi Mehrez
Welcome to our live blog
We'll be bringing you all the latest updates relating to this crash.
