News 2021 finish for
bridge work WORK to replace an M20 foot- bridge torn down in a freak inci- dent four years ago will take until 2021 to finish. Just months after the comple-
tion of disruptive works on the M20 to install a “smart” stretch of motorway, drivers face long de- lays and lane closures while it is carried out. The footbridge collapsed when
it was hit by a lorry carrying a dig- ger in August 2016, causing dam- aged estimated at £1.5million. No one was killed, although one mo- torcyclist was injured. Chatham and Aylesford MP
Tracey Crouch lobbied for the foot- bridge operation at junction 4 near Leybourne to be carried out while the other work was going on. One lane will be closed in each carriageway throughout, with re- duced lane widths and a 50mph speed limit. There will also be some carriageway closures and one full weekend closure to in- stall the new bridge. A Highways England spokesman said work would start on August 8.
downsmail.co.uk
M20’s worst motorway title ‘is not surprising’
A LOCAL councillor says he is not surprised the M20 has been dubbed the worst motorway in England. A Transport Focus poll of more
than 8,000 drivers voted the major road as the least popular for the sec- ond year in a row. Only 63% of drivers were satisfied with their last journey on the road. Kent County Councillor and transport spokesman Cllr Rob Bird (pictured) said: “It’s not surprising that the M20 is the worst in the country. Drivers are faced with long periods of extensive roadworks, nu- merous road traffic collisions, speed restrictions and closures. “Those who have to use it regu-
larly will know how frustrating the experience is. We now also have the prospect of further delays as a result of the government failing to put proper Brexit preparations in place. “When Operation Brock is imple- mented next year, I predict we will all be stuck with it for a very long time. It’s very worrying.”
The poll, conducted between
April 2019 and March 2020, sug- gests the two-year smart motorway conversion is mostly to blame for people’s dislike of the road. Highways England’s chief execu-
tive Jim O’Sullivan said: “We care about the people who use our net- work, and we are pleased this latest survey shows the majority of mo- torists are satisfied. “While we deliver a record in- vestment in England’s motorways
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and major A roads bringing long- term benefits to drivers, we will con- tinue to tackle congestion and help motorists have safer, smoother and more timely journeys.” An RAC spokesman said the M20
has “cones along almost its entire length in recent years” due to a new junction being built near Ashford. They added: “The irony is that the
more money is spent trying to in- crease capacity on motorways, the greater the short-term congestion.”
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