Overview

• The M20 westbound closed between Junction 3 (M26) and Junction 1 (M25) early Monday after a lorry caught fire around 5:30–5:45am.
• Kent Fire & Rescue extinguished the blaze, and one person was treated by ambulance crews for smoke inhalation.
• National Highways diverted traffic via the M26 and M25, warned of about 45‑minute delays with roughly four miles of congestion, and released trapped vehicles past the scene in lane 3.
• A separate multi‑vehicle collision on the M6 southbound between Junctions 6 and 4A shut two lanes and caused around 45‑minute delays before West Midlands Roads confirmed the scene was cleared and traffic began to ease.
• Officials indicated M20 conditions were expected to return to normal by mid‑afternoon, while a planned M6 barrier replacement between Junctions 34 and 35 will mean months of lane closures and a 50mph limit from September 15.