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M20 closure: Drivers ignoring diversion route affecting villages

11:11, 17 August 2019

updated: 11:14, 17 August 2019

Surrounding villages are struggling with the M20 closures this weekend.

The motorway is shut between junction 9 for Ashford and 11 for Hythe until 6am Monday.

This is so Highways England can carry out resurfacing work, improvements on the central reservation safety barrier can be made, vegetation can be cleared and cabling will be completed.

Diversions in the Ashford area are in place
Diversions in the Ashford area are in place

They are also preparing for the demolition of Highfield Road which will take place as part of the junction 10a scheme.

Some people in the area have taken to social media to express their annoyance at temporary traffic lights on the A20, which is an alternative route for drivers.

On Twitter, Chris_H1301 said: "So you have diverted the entire M20 through a set of temporary traffic lights on the A20. Please tell me you didn’t knowingly do this? Sellindge to Ashford is horrendous."

The official diversion route is for the A2 to M2 to A249 to return to the M20 at junction seven.

Another user has reported gridlock in Ashford town centre.

On Sunday night the coastbound carriageway between junction 3 for the M26 and junction 6 for Maidstone will be closed to continue with work on the smart motorway.

Traffic heading to or from Dover and the Eurotunnel will be directed to the A2/M2 and a clearly signed diversion route will be in place.

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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