Delayed drivers complain as traffic lights fail again

Hundreds of drivers in Ashford were stuck in long delays around the town after traffic lights failed.

The lights on the approach to Junction 10 on the M20 once again had problems with timings and synchronisation on Monday.

The delays largely took place on the A2070 northbound between the junctions with the A2042 and the M20 but had a knock-on effect around the town, causing a backlog of traffic into the town centre and from Ashford Designer Outlet.

KCC Highways noted on Twitter the incident began shortly after 8am but other motorists reported that queues were forming from 6am onwards.

Ashford resident Melissa Eaton said: “My husband left our home on Park Farm at 9.10am and eventually reached the lights at 9.50am. The traffic light was green for less than 10 seconds.

“It’s so frustrating after all the money that has been spent on the lights and it seems to be a recurring problem. Once you’re stuck in that queue there’s almost no chance to get out of it.

“That’s why another roundabout would be great at the TK Maxx junction – at least you’d have the opportunity to abandon Junction 10 then.”

KentPoliceAshford tweeted at the time: “We are aware the traffic lights at J10 M20 are not working. We have informed @High- waysSEAST. Any issues please address to them.”

A Highways England spokesman said: “Our engineers worked hard to restore the traffic lights on the M20 Junction 10 roundabout as soon as possible and continue to monitor them.”

The authority said the area was cleared by about noon.

There have been issues with the traffic lights and their syncronisation on a number of occasions since September last year.

In March 2015, the lights returned after a £750,000 repair scheme but motorists said the traffic flowed more smoothly without them and many called for them to be switched off for good.

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