Kentish Express Ashford & District
New junction on track For September
Amulti-million pound motorway junction is set to open to traffic in September, the Kentish Express can reveal.
Work to build junction 10a on the M20 - which is being constructed just 700 metres away from the current junction 10 - began in February.
Now highways bosses say motorists will be able to use the £104m junction for the first time in September.
Project manager Tom Selby from Highways England is satisfied with the plan’s progress.
He said: “Junction 10a is going well, we’re just in the winter season so we’re continuing earthworks while the weather is pretty good.
“We’re making good headway and preparing for a key milestone in lifting the bridge beams in over a series of weekend closures.
“Obviously weather is a key element to this and also Brexit, so we have plans in place should either of them come to eventuality and affect us.”
Mr Selby added that despite minor setbacks, he says “the programme’s been recovered so we’re still on track and on budget”.
Although the junction will open this September, construction work is due to continue until summer 2020. A Highways England spokesman said: “Following the open for
traffic milestone there will still be a contractor presence as we complete snagging works and landscaping – this will take us to project completion in summer 2020.
“However, road users will feel all the benefits from September.”
Last year, it emerged roadworks on a number of main routes in Kent will be halted before and after the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Highways bosses informed utility companies that planned roadworks across the county cannot be carried out between February 1 and April 30 in order to ease pressure on the road network.
Eleven routes will become ‘roadwork free’ to help minimise disruption to roads after in the months leading up to and after Brexit, but junction 10a will continue.
Mr Selby said: “It almost definitely will be affected (by Brexit), but there’s a Kent Corridor Coordination Group where all the projects come together to discuss the sequencing and delays that Brexit brings with it so we are ready for it.”
Junction 10a is one of Ashford Borough Council’s Big 8 schemes - eight key developments aimed at improving the town’s facilities and promoting cultural and economic opportunities in the borough.
The spokesman added: “The creation of the new junction is a £104m project that will unlock job-creating developments, improve journeys, and open the door to further inward economic investment for communities along the M20.
“It will also relieve pressure of the existing junction 10, reducing congestion on both the M20 and local roads.”
What do you think about the junction 10a project? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk