Sunbathing and playing football on the M20

Motorists caught up in a motorway closure on one of the hottest days of the year took to sunbathing, playing football and even a spot of hula hooping to while away the hours.

Police took the decision to close the carriageway in both directions when a man threatened to jump from a bridge.

Concerned witnesses reported a man standing on the wrong side of bridge railings about a mile from junction 8 for Maidstone East and Leeds castle.

Drivers and their passengers found themselves trapped for two hours in the blistering heat, with many taking to stretching out on the tarmac.

Hockers Lane, which runs underneath the M20, was also closed just after 6pm on Sunday.

Long delays were reported throughout the area with many left waiting in their cars as the mercury hit 26C.

Some left their vehicles and sat by the side of the road. Others were pictured soaking up the sun on the carriageway. Some sat waiting for the road to reopen in deck chairs and a woman was captured on camera practising her hula hoop skills.

Many drivers took to social media to condemn those who drifted onto the empty motorway – and to pour scorn on some who used the hard shoulder to avoid the queues.

Parents were also heavily criticised for allowing their children to play a game of football on the clear carriageway.

One person commented on KentOnline: “There are no words to describe how utterly idiotic the people playing and loitering on the opposite carriageway are. How unbelievably stupid.

“If traffic started flowing then there would be another incident. I do sympathise with having to sit there in the heat but why risk your life like that?”

Highways England appealed to drivers to stay in their vehicles as traffic was slowly being turned around and released from the queue which stretched back several miles.

Motorbikes were released first before cars were able to do a U-turn and seek alternative routes. The road was fully re-opened at 9.20pm.

The man who sparked the closure was eventually brought down and detained by emergency services. He was not thought to be injured.