Design work starts on major M20 improvements

A joint venture of Mott MacDonald and Grontmij has been appointed by the Highways Agency to undertake preliminary design improvement works around junction 10 of the M20 motorway in Kent.


Improved access to and from the motorway via a new junction, to be named 10A, is seen as a key aspect in addressing existing congestion problems.

The scheme will consist of a new gyratory roundabout over the M20, approximately 700m east of the existing junction 10, as well as a new link road to the A2070 Southern Orbital Road.

Two bridges over the motorway will also be constructed, along with four new slip roads. Existing east facing slip roads at junction 10 will be closed as part of the works and a number of nearby properties will also be demolished.

Elio Rapa, MMG JV project director, said: “These improvement works will provide upgraded infrastructure to support the development of Ashford in Kent and help to separate long distance traffic from local traffic.

"The scheme will also reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability, road safety and noise and air quality for properties to the west of A2070.”

The preliminary design is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.