Drivers are facing severe disruption on the A2 in Kent this afternoon after a serious crash involving a motorbike brought traffic to a standstill in both directions near Thong.
The A2 Thong motorbike crash was reported just after midday on Monday, October 5, on the dual carriageway between Gravesend and Strood. Within minutes, the road was blocked with vehicles held stationary on both sides of the carriageway, and long queues began to build on the approaches.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates as the situation develops.
Where the A2 is closed
The closure bites on the stretch of the A2 between the Henhurst and Cobham services and the exits for Cobham, Shorne and the Inn on the Lake. With the carriageway shut in both directions, there is no through route for traffic either way.
The knock-on effect on surrounding roads is already severe. Congestion has been reported reaching Pepper Hill and stretching back past Gravesend, while on the opposite approach traffic is tailing back as far as junction 1 of the M2 at Strood.
Thong is a small village on the edge of Gravesend, and the A2 here forms a vital link for traffic heading between the capital and north Kent. The affected section is a busy dual-carriageway stretch used heavily by lorries serving the Thames ports as well as local commuters, which explains why the queues have grown so quickly.
Long delays expected
Motorists caught in the stationary queues are being warned to expect lengthy delays, with disruption likely to continue well into the afternoon. Even once the road reopens, the backlog of held traffic will take considerable time to clear, particularly around the Cobham services and the Shorne junctions.
The A2 is one of Kent’s busiest strategic routes, carrying commuters, freight and holiday traffic between London and the Channel ports. A full closure in both directions quickly sends congestion spilling onto the M2, local A-roads and the streets around Gravesend and Strood.
Anyone already on the road is advised to stay with their vehicle, keep a safe gap to the car in front and avoid using the hard shoulder. Drivers who have not yet set off should check live travel information before travelling, allow plenty of extra time and consider delaying or rerouting their journey if possible.
What to do if you are caught in the queues
If you find yourself stuck in the tailbacks, the advice is to remain patient and stay in your vehicle. Do not be tempted to turn around on the dual carriageway or drive the wrong way along the hard shoulder, however long the wait. Keep an eye on travel bulletins for news of lanes reopening, and make sure you have enough fuel, water and phone charge for a long delay.
Motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users are reminded to take extra care when traffic is slow-moving or stationary, with sudden lane changes common in queuing traffic.
A difficult week for A2 drivers
The crash comes during an already difficult week for the route. Night drivers face four nights of A2 closures this week, while the A2 at Dartford is also due to shut for three nights, with drivers warned of delays. A full list of A2 roadworks and overnight shutdowns is available for anyone planning journeys in the coming days.
We will continue to follow this developing story throughout the afternoon. Our live blog above carries the latest confirmed information, including the extent of the queues and any word on when the road might reopen.
For now, the message to drivers is simple: avoid the A2 around Thong if you can, and if you are already caught in the queues, stay put and wait for the road to reopen. We will update this page as soon as there is confirmed news of the closure lifting.
