National Highways closed the London-bound M20 in Kent after engineers discovered a safety-critical infrastructure defect during inspections, with no reopening time confirmed.
National Highways shut the M20 westbound between Junction 1 (Swanley/M25 interchange) and Junction 3 (Addington/M26 interchange) after engineers found what the agency called a “safety-critical infrastructure defect” during inspections. The defect was judged immediately unsafe — no phased closure, no delay. Emergency repairs and safety checks have to be completed before anyone drives over it again.
No reopening time has been given.
A signed diversion is in place, sending drivers onto the M26 westbound before joining the M25 anticlockwise to rejoin the M20 at Junction 1. National Highways is asking motorists to allow extra time, consider alternative routes, and put off non-essential journeys if they can.
This stretch of the M20 does a lot of heavy lifting. It carries commuters, freight lorries and long-distance traffic heading between Kent, London and the Channel ports at Dover and Folkestone, and the section linking Swanley with the M26 at Addington is among the busiest on the whole corridor.
Key information
- Closure: M20 westbound, Junction 1 (Swanley/M25) to Junction 3 (Addington/M26)
- Diversion: M26 westbound, then M25 anticlockwise to M20 Junction 1
- Reopening: No time confirmed — road will reopen once repairs and safety checks are complete
- Advice: Allow extra time, consider alternative routes, delay non-essential travel if possible
M20 westbound shut between Junctions 1 and 3 after safety defect found Quiz
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