Motorists face delays as main road closes again

Drivers are facing yet another closure of the A20 in Ashford but the latest roadworks have nothing to do with the nearby Junction 10a scheme.

Highways bosses have shut the road in both directions between the Pilgrims Hospice and Tesco Extra, sending motorists on a lengthy diversion via the A2070.

Closures of the road are nothing new, with drivers forced to put up with traffic lights and delays for months as contractors work on the £104m M20 junction.

But the latest roadworks are not connected to the huge junction project and have instead been brought in to allow workers to install gas mains and an electricity network for the 192home Hinxhill Park scheme.

Bosses shut the road last Monday (January 6), forcing drivers to use the A2070 and new link road leading off the Junction 10a roundabout instead.

UK Power Networks says it is due to finish its part of the works by tomorrow (Friday), but Kent County Council says the road is due to remain closed until Sunday.

Drivers can still access the Pilgrims Hospice, but only via the new Junction 10a roundabout.

Jon Sillett, head of hospice services at the charity, says staff are staying in contact with highways bosses.

“The hospice has remained accessible since the A20 road closure, and will continue to be accessible at all times to ensure that patient services can still operate,” he said.

“We are in constant contact with Highways England and the contractor to ensure that any impact on the hospice is minimised.”

The huge Hinxhill Park housing scheme will include a new link road between Hinxhill Road and the A20, connecting to the rear entrance at the back of the William Harvey Hospital.

The 24-acre site will feature 22 two-bed houses, 83 three-bed and 70 four-bed, as well as a number of flats.

Bosses at Belway Homes had their plans approved by Ashford Borough Council in 2017 after cutting the number of homes from 207 to 192.

Twenty-eight homes will also be built around Highmead House next to the Hinxhill Park scheme after the plans were approved last year.

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The closure is set to remain in place until Sunday, forcing drivers on a lengthy diversion via the A2070

Belway Homes bosses are building 192 homes off the A20 after their plans were approved by Ashford Borough Council in 2017

Contractors are installing gas and electricity for the new Hinxhill Park development

The A20 closed last week between Tesco Crooksfoot and the Pilgrims Hospice