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M20 to close in Ashford this weekend between Junction 9 and 11 for new footbridge installation

12:05, 19 November 2018

updated: 12:32, 19 November 2018

Drivers will face another closure on the M20 this weekend when a new footbridge is installed.

Highways England will shut the coastbound stretch between Junction 9 for Ashford and 11 for Hythe from 8pm on Saturday until 10am on Sunday.

The London-bound stretch between Junctions 11 and 10 will also be closed during the same period.

The new bridge under construction. Picture: Highways England
The new bridge under construction. Picture: Highways England

Highways bosses say the bridge - dubbed the Kingsford Street footbridge - will be used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders when it opens next summer.

Built by Nusteel Structures in Hythe, 20 people were involved in the building of the structure, which forms part of the new Junction 10a.

Weighing 45 tonnes, it is equivalent to nine hippos.

It will replace the existing Highfield Lane bridge, which will be demolished in late spring or early summer next year, resulting in another weekend closure.

The motorway will close this weekend
The motorway will close this weekend

This weekend's closure will come just days after the stretch between Junction 4 for Leybourne and Junction 6 at Blue Bell Hill was shut so the Teapot Lane footbridge in Aylesford could be replaced.

If high winds put paid to the work this weekend, Highways England says the Kingsford Street bridge will be installed over the weekend of December 8-9.

Signposted diversions will be in place while the bridge is installed, highways bosses say.

The M20 has been reduced to two lanes in both directions
The M20 has been reduced to two lanes in both directions

Junction 10a is expected to open to traffic next autumn.

The M20 has already been reduced to two lanes in both directions around the site of the new junction.

A 50mph limit is also in place - and will stay in force until 2020.

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