19:42

Highways England said that the part of the M20 between junctions two and four will remain closed until at least midday on Sunday, but that delays have now shortened and tailbacks have reduced. The M26 is also likely to stay closed until the area is completely cleared.

South east operations manager, Gary Coleman, said crews would be working through the night to clean up the scene.

He said: “We are facing a real challenge to lift two HGVs and a motorbike clear of the scene and deal with all of the rubble from the collapsed bridge strewn across both carriageways.

“There is also the issue of the remaining part of the footbridge, which is still in place over the coast-bound side of the motorway.

“We are doing everything we can to safely reopen the motorway, but we’d ask drivers to please bear with us as this is a complex operation and it will take time and skill to complete.”