Safety improvements to the M20 in Kent will begin in September 2006

United Kingdom – The Highways Agency has appointed a contractor to carry out a GBP 4.9 million scheme to improve safety and journey reliability on the M20 in Kent.

Work will focus on maximising road capacity at Junction 10 of the M20, which will involve adding a third lane to the traffic flow across the bridges above the motorway and widening the local approach roads.

In addition, a new junction will be provided with traffic signals between A292 Hythe Road and the M20 London-bound slip road, a new footbridge will be built over the M20 and minor improvements will be undertaken.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of June 2007 and is being funded by developers Taylor Woodrow, in conjunction with Ashford Borough Council.

"I welcome this project which will improve traffic flows and safety on this important road. This shows the government’s ongoing commitment to investing in roads in Kent. The road will have improved traffic flow as well as improving access onto the road network," said roads Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman.

David Pocknall, project manager for the Agency, added: "The work has been designed to relieve congestion at the junction until about 2012, by which time a new junction just east of Junction 10 will be needed."

While work on Junction 10 is taking place, the existing speed limit will be reduced to 30mph on the A2070 from Barry Road junction and around the roundabout to ease the traffic flow and protect the workforce.

Norwest Holst has been appointed as the contractor for the scheme, which will be supervised by Atkins on behalf of the Agency, which has overall responsibility for the M20 and Junction 10.