M20 SLIP ROADS SHUT FOR GOOD

Bosses permanently close part of Junction 10

Two M20 slip roads have shut for good.

The coastbound on- slip at Junction 10 and the London-bound off-slip at the same junction closed on Wednesday night.

They have been superseded by the new £104m Junction 10a - which has been built just 700 metres south east of the original junction.

It now means drivers on the London-bound M20 wishing to leave at Junction 10 have to use Junction 10a instead.

Likewise, drivers hoping to get on the coastbound M20 from Junction 10 are being directed to the new roundabout.

Highways England had initially planned to shut the slip roads in early August - but postponed the closure following a backlash from angry drivers.

The closure was then moved to October 16 - two weeks before the new coast-facing slips at Junction 10a were due to open on October 31.

But an appeal from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) saw the decision repealed less than 24 hours after it was made.

Almost a month on, Highways England shut the slip roads for good last Wednesday night and now says they will be landscaped.

By the end of November, the new Junction 10a London-facing slips will be open, bosses say.

They say that by early 2020, lane one of the M20 should be reopened to traffic following maintenance resurfacing works.

On the A20, motorists travelling from Folkestone to Ashford are currently facing a lengthy diversion as the road has been closed in the westbound direction between Highfield Lane and the Pilgrims Hospice.

Highways England says the westbound A20 closure will be in place until the end of November as they work to connect the road to the new junction.

Elsewhere, traffic lights at the Ashford Retail Park junction - which links the A2070 with Barrey Road - are set to be switched on by the end of the year.

Likewise, the lights on the new Junction 10a roundabout should be working before the end of 2019.

■ What do you think about the Junction 10 slip road closures? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Picture: Andy Jones Junction 10 now looks a bit different after two slip roads closed for good last Wednesday night as part of the Junction 10a scheme

Picture: Ady Kerry The coastbound on-slip and London-bound off-slip at Junction 10 have shut, meaning drivers have to now use Junction 10a