Repairs under way after 15ft hole appears on M2 in Kent
The Highways Agency said the hole measured 16ft (5m) by 6ft (2m) and was 15ft (4m) deep
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 Highways Agency said the hole was 16ft (5m) by 6ft (2m), but added 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.
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".
Cavity collapse
Mr Duke said the priority was to get the motorway reopened at least by Thursday morning's rush hour.
He added that once the initial repairs had been done it was likely there would be some overnight closures for resurfacing work.
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.
She said water had been known to be a "mobilising influence" to cause an underground cavity to collapse.
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