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Repairs under way after 15ft hole appears on M2 in Kent Repairs under way after 15ft hole appears on M2 in Kent
(about 11 hours later)
Urgent safety checks and repairs are continuing on a section of motorway where a 15ft-deep (4m) hole opened up in the central reservation.Urgent safety checks and repairs are continuing on a section of motorway where a 15ft-deep (4m) hole opened up in the central reservation.
The M2 in Kent is closed for 10 miles in both directions between junction five at Stockbury and junction six at Faversham. Diversions are in place.The M2 in Kent is closed for 10 miles in both directions between junction five at Stockbury and junction six at Faversham. Diversions are in place.
The Highways Agency said the hole was 16ft (5m) by 6ft (2m), but added it was not yet clear if it is a sinkhole. The Highways Agency said the hole was 16ft (5m) by 6ft (2m). It was not yet clear if it is a sinkhole.
A spokesman said he hoped some lanes would reopen by the end of the day. The agency hopes to reopen the hard shoulder by 06:00 GMT on Thursday.
Simon Duke said video cameras were being used to inspect the damage and try to establish how it was caused. He added that it "looked like it was stabilising". A spokesman said geotechnical investigations had continued during Wednesday and the cavity had been filled with about 40 tonnes of pea shingle to help stabilise the hole.
Cavity collapseCavity collapse
Mr Duke said the priority was to get the motorway reopened at least by Thursday morning's rush hour. Earlier, video cameras were used to inspect the damage to try to establish how it was caused.
He added that once the initial repairs had been done it was likely there would be some overnight closures for resurfacing work. The spokesman said: "Assessment, which is likely to take at least another 48 hours, will be carried out in and around the hole.
"For the safety of road users and road workers, lanes one and two of the motorway will remain closed."
Signed diversions are in place via the A249, the M20, the A20, the A252 and the A251.Signed diversions are in place via the A249, the M20, the A20, the A252 and the A251.
Sarah Fray, of the Institution of Structural Engineers, said the cause of the hole was "more likely to be related" to the probable chalk or limestone make-up of the area, along with the rainfall.Sarah Fray, of the Institution of Structural Engineers, said the cause of the hole was "more likely to be related" to the probable chalk or limestone make-up of the area, along with the rainfall.
She said water had been known to be a "mobilising influence" to cause an underground cavity to collapse.She said water had been known to be a "mobilising influence" to cause an underground cavity to collapse.