Drivers will have to put up with more traffic lights close to the M20 when new signals are installed outside a post-Brexit lorry park this week.

Highways bosses at Kent County Council are closing the A2070 link road in Ashford for three nights to allow for the works.

The lights will mean truckers can turn right when leaving the 66-acre site, which is being built next to the M20 and is due to open at the end of the transition period on Friday.

Once operational, HGV drivers will only be allowed to access the plot from the nearby Junction 10a - and will face a penalty if caught breaking the rules.

Although heavy rain has meant the site won't be fully operational until February, up to 1,000 trucks could still be stored on the land from Friday.

Due to the rain delay, HMRC checks set to take place on the Sevington plot will instead be conducted on the nearby Waterbrook Park estate.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “From January 1 customs checks on HGVs will be taking place at the Ashford Waterbrook site before permanently moving to the Sevington site in February 2021 if not before.

“The Sevington site will open as planned on January 1 to manage traffic should there be disruption.”

KCC closed the link road last night to allow for the installation of the new lights and anti-skid surfacing.

It will be shut again tonight and on Wednesday between 7pm and 7am.

In the spring, traffic lights were installed at Junction 10a, sparking anger among motorists.

Until that point, the £104m roundabout had been signal-free since but Highways England had always planned to put in the lights.

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