A serious collision on the A2070 in Kent has triggered significant disruption for drivers in the Ashford area, with the key route fully closed in both directions and long delays reported on surrounding roads. Emergency services and specialist collision investigators remain at the scene as of the morning of January 14, following a crash between a tanker and a car that proved fatal and forced an extended closure of this busy link road.

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Horrific Collision Shuts A2070 in Both Directions

The collision occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, on the A2070 Ashford Road near Hamstreet, south of Ashford. According to police, a silver Vauxhall Meriva travelling southbound was involved in a crash with a purple Volvo tanker heading in the opposite direction. The force of the impact caused the car to strike a roadside barrier while the tanker jack-knifed, its tractor unit leaving the carriageway and coming to rest in a wooded embankment close to a railway line.

The seriousness of the incident led to the immediate closure of the A2070 in both directions, affecting the stretch between the A2042 near Ashford and the B2067 at Hamstreet. National traffic monitoring services reported that all lanes were shut on both the northbound and southbound carriageways, with official updates describing the disruption as severe and warning of delays of more than three hours for motorists caught in the queues.

Initial estimates suggested the road would not fully reopen until late on the evening of January 13. However, the complexity of recovery operations and the need for a detailed forensic examination of the scene meant closures and significant restrictions continued into January 14, causing ongoing disruption for commuters and local traffic at the start of the working day.

Police Confirm Fatality as Investigation Intensifies

Kent Police confirmed that the driver of the Vauxhall Meriva, a man in his 40s, died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency responders. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. The driver of the tanker was taken to a local hospital for treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.

Officers from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are leading the inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. They are working to establish the sequence of events that led to the collision, including any contributing factors such as speed, road conditions, vehicle condition or possible driver error. Investigators have appealed for witnesses and for any motorists who may have captured the incident or the vehicles beforehand on dashcam to come forward.

Police have issued a reference number for the inquiry and urged anyone with information to contact them directly. They have also set up an online portal where members of the public can upload footage to assist detectives in building a detailed picture of what happened in the minutes leading up to the crash.

Major Delays and Gridlock Across the Ashford Area

With the A2070 forming a vital link between the M20 at Ashford and communities across Romney Marsh and further toward the Kent and Sussex border, its closure quickly led to long tailbacks and heavy congestion on surrounding roads. Traffic reports described queues stretching from the Tenterden turn off at Hamstreet back towards Violet Way in Ashford, as vehicles came to a standstill behind the closure points.

The disruption was compounded by the timing of the crash. Occurring ahead of the evening peak on Tuesday, it left many workers, freight drivers and local residents stranded or forced into time consuming diversions. Motorists reported lengthy delays on local routes as drivers attempted to reroute through village roads not designed for large volumes of traffic or heavy goods vehicles.

Local traffic services and travel news providers warned that the incident amounted to severe disruption, advising drivers to avoid the area altogether where possible and to consider delaying non essential journeys until the road network around Ashford began to recover. Even on Wednesday morning, congestion remained a problem as vehicles continued to divert away from the closed section of the A2070.

Diversion Routes in Place but Pressure on Local Roads

In response to the full closure, highways authorities and Kent Police implemented diversion routes to keep traffic moving between Ashford and the southern villages. Drivers heading towards Ashford were directed to use alternative approaches via the A259 and local B roads, while those travelling away from the town were advised to follow signed diversions around the affected corridor.

Although the diversion plans are designed to maintain some flow along the key north south axis, they inevitably push large volumes of vehicles onto smaller rural routes. Residents in communities surrounding Hamstreet and on the outskirts of Ashford reported a sharp increase in traffic, with some drivers experiencing delays even on back roads that would normally be relatively clear.

Authorities have urged drivers to follow only the official signed diversion routes, rather than relying solely on satellite navigation systems that may direct vehicles down unsuitable lanes. Police and highways officers have stressed that sticking to the agreed alternative routes is essential for safety and to prevent additional blockages on already stressed local roads.

Emergency Services and Recovery Teams Face Complex Task

The emergency response to the incident has involved Kent Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, as well as specialist recovery contractors. Fire crews were called to deal with the risk posed by the jack knifed tanker and to ensure no fuel or hazardous materials posed a threat to the public or the nearby railway line.

Recovery of the large tanker unit from the embankment presented a challenging operation, requiring heavy lifting equipment and careful coordination to avoid further damage to the carriageway and surrounding environment. The position of the vehicle near rail infrastructure also meant close liaison with rail operators to guarantee that train movements could be managed safely while work was under way.

Collision investigators carried out detailed measurements, photography and forensic examinations across the length of the scene while recovery teams worked methodically to remove the damaged vehicles and clear debris. This painstaking process is standard in serious and fatal collisions and is one of the reasons why the road remained shut for many hours after the initial emergency response.

Rail Services Disrupted as Crash Impacts Nearby Line

The proximity of the crash site to a railway line prompted concerns about potential impacts on train operations between Ashford and coastal destinations. Services running between Ashford and Rye were reported to be affected as a precaution while assessments were made of the embankment area and the position of the tanker unit.

Rail operators warned passengers to expect delays and possible alterations to services while safety checks were completed alongside the recovery operation. Replacement transport and revised timetables were put in place where necessary, creating a knock on effect for commuters and regional travellers who rely on the route for connections across the South East.

Passengers were encouraged to check the latest travel information before setting out, as the situation around the crash scene evolved. The dual impact on both road and rail highlighted the vulnerability of key transport corridors in the region when major incidents take place in close proximity to critical infrastructure.

Local Community Shocked as Police Appeal for Information

The fatal nature of the crash and the dramatic scenes on the A2070 have left the local community around Hamstreet and Ashford in shock. Residents described the A2070 as a fast and heavily used road that has seen serious incidents in the past, with some calling for further safety measures and enforcement to help prevent future tragedies.

Community leaders and local councillors are expected to seek updates from police and highways officials in the coming days on whether any changes to signage, speed limits or junction layouts might be considered as part of the response to the collision. Road safety campaigners frequently highlight the importance of reviewing high risk stretches of road after serious incidents to identify lessons that could save lives.

Kent Police have reiterated their request for anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the silver Vauxhall Meriva or purple Volvo tanker in the moments before the collision to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit. Officers are particularly keen to receive dashcam or CCTV footage that might assist in clarifying vehicle movements, road conditions and other key details at the time.

Advice for Drivers as Investigation and Clean Up Continue

With the investigation still active and clean up work continuing, drivers in Kent are being urged to plan ahead and allow considerable extra time for essential journeys that would normally use the A2070. Authorities recommend checking live traffic updates before setting off and considering alternative routes that avoid the Ashford to Hamstreet corridor where possible.

Motorists are also being reminded to drive cautiously on unfamiliar diversion routes, to respect reduced speed limits through villages and to remain patient where congestion occurs. Police have asked heavy goods vehicle drivers especially to follow signed detours appropriate for larger vehicles and to avoid narrow local lanes that may be unsuitable for heavy traffic.

As work progresses to fully reopen the A2070, local residents and regular users of the route face an uncertain timetable, with no firm confirmation yet on when normal traffic patterns will be restored. For now, the focus remains on supporting those affected by the tragedy, completing the investigation and ensuring that when the road does reopen it is safe for all who rely on this crucial link through Kent.