Kentish Express Ashford & District
DRIVERS STUCK AFTER M20 DRAMA
Motorway closed and bomb squad called following chase
A 15-mile stretch of the M20 was closed for seven hours after police stopped a car and bomb disposal teams were called to the scene.
Officers made “tactical contact” with a speeding car travelling London-bound from Junction 9 at Ashford after a lengthy chase on Sunday.
The clean-up operation forced the stretch of motorway between Junction 9 and Junction 8 for Leeds Castle to be closed in both directions - resulting in big tailbacks.
Cars stuck in the traffic were turned around by police - travelling the wrong on the M20 in order to be free of the standstill.
The Army was called in amid concerns over the security of the vehicle stopped in the pursuit.
It was brought to a halt after being “tactically hit” by a chasing police car.
A 27-year-old man from Wales was subsequently arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for officers.
He has since been released on bail.
The chase ensued shortly after 11.25am when police attempted to halt a vehicle travelling at excess speed on the coastbound carriageway near Junction 12.
The speeding car did not stop and exited the M20 before returning onto the London-bound carriageway.
Police chased the vehicle to Ashford and made tactical contact in order to bring it to a stop.
No injuries were reported. The route was shut in both directions to ensure the road was made safe following the pursuit.
A police spokesman said: “The British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended the scene as a precautionary measure following concerns about the security of the subject vehicle, which was subsequently declared safe and removed from the carriageway.
“Kent Police wishes to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while the motorway was closed.”