M20 Accident Today: Crash and Car Fire Close Eastbound Motorway Between Junctions 8 and 9

KENT, England — A crash and vehicle fire caused major disruption on the M20 motorway on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with the eastbound, or coastbound, carriageway closed between Junction 8 and Junction 9.

National Highways reported that the incident occurred on the section of the motorway between Junction 8 at Lenham and Junction 9 for Ashford. The agency described the incident as a collision followed by a car fire and said the closure was expected to remain in place for several hours while emergency services and investigators worked at the scene.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews were called to the serious collision on the coastbound carriageway. Three fire engines and a technical rescue unit were dispatched, with Kent Police and National Highways traffic officers also attending.

The closure created congestion on the approach to the affected section. National Highways reported around three miles of traffic and delays of approximately 30 minutes during the morning response. Drivers heading toward Dover were advised to consider the A2 and M2, while other motorists were directed to leave at Junction 8 and use the A20 before rejoining the M20 at Junction 9.

At the time of the latest reports, authorities had not released confirmed information about the number or severity of injuries. The circumstances surrounding the collision remained under investigation.

A separate incident had also affected lanes on the opposite carriageway near Maidstone earlier in the day, although those lanes were subsequently reopened.

Motorists travelling through Kent were advised to check current traffic information before beginning their journeys and allow additional time for diversions.

The M20 closure between Junctions 8 and 9 remains linked to the September 23 collision and car fire, with emergency and investigative operations continuing at the scene.