Kentish Express Ashford & District
Motorway closure sparks long delays across the weekend
The M20 reopened nine hours ahead of schedule on Sunday but only after the full weekend closure sparked long delays across Ashford.
Highways England shut the motorway in both directions at 10pm on Friday to allow for the installation of a new bridge at junction 10a.
It was due to remain shut until 6am on Monday, but contractors reopened the road between junctions 9 and 11 just after 9pm on Sunday.
Motorist Lucy Vint says it took her an hour-and-a-half to get from Ashford to Hythe during the closure on Saturday, with scores of drivers stuck in queues on the A20.
Mrs Vint, who lives in
Ashford but manages the Demelza Hospice Care for Children charity shop in Hythe, said: “There is a lorry park in Ashford so several lorries were going from the town southbound and goodness knows how many more crawled along the A20 through Sellindge.
“I do pity the people of Sellindge as they had traffic in both directions.
“I completely sympathise with the residents as it must have been a nightmare with lorries from 10pm on Friday.”
Tom Selby, Highways England’s project manager, thanked people for their patience during the closure.
He said: “We and our contractors have worked hard to successfully complete the installation.
“It represents a big milestone for the project.
“We are pleased to be able to reopen the road ahead of schedule, and we thank people for their patience during this essential work.”
A mobile crane was set up to place beams onto the reinforced concrete supports either side of the motorway.
The east gyratory bridge was installed at the weekend, with the west bridge due to be installed later this month.
It will mean another full weekend closure will be needed again from January 25 to 28 over the same time period.
The bridges will form the two sides of the new junction roundabout, carrying traffic over the motorway,
Junction 10a is due to open to traffic in September this year.
It is costing £104m and is being built just 700 metres south east of the existing junction 10.
Did you get caught up in the A20 delays at the weekend? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk