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Junction 10a signs in Ashford to be reviewed as councillors slam 'very confusing' directions which lead drivers to Brexit lorry park

By: Dan Wright dwright@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 27 July 2021

Muddled motorists keep turning into Ashford's huge Brexit lorry park by mistake because signs at a multi-million pound motorway junction are "very confusing".

Highways England says it is now carrying out a review of the signage at Junction 10a following a backlash from drivers – less than two years after the roundabout opened to traffic.

Junction 10a, pictured last year, has been built 700 metres south east of Junction 10 and is linked to the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road via a new link road. Picture: Ady Kerry/Ashford Borough Council

Councillors claim there is a lack of clear signs at the junction, which connects the M20 with the A2070 and A20 and cost £104m to build.

Ashford Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) says he was pleased how Rachel Maclean, MP and parliamentary undersecretary of state for transport, accepted the signs were "inadequate" when he spoke to her last month.

The pair met at the 66-acre lorry park, which is officially called the Sevington Inland Border Facility (IBF).

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Cllr Bartlett said: "I hope it will make the route clearer for drivers, it's not just tourists entering the IBF, it's also lorries still trying to access it via Mersham.

"Last week, they took out the BT box in The Street, wiping out the village's internet connection.

Councillors say the existing signs as "very confusing" for drivers
The post-Brexit lorry park is next to Junction 10a of the M20
A number of drivers have ended up in the Sevington Brexit lorry park

"Highways England will also be doing topographical surveys that will identify sites for additional signage approaching Junction 10a on the M20 from London and Folkestone to correctly indicate the Sevington IBF."

During a meeting of ABC's joint transportation board, councillors described the existing signs as "very confusing".

Committee chairman Cllr Bernard Heyes (Con) said there is a lack of clear signs to west Ashford, and it is not made clear that the easiest way to get there from J10a is to return to the M20 and continue to Junction 9.

In response to the criticism, Peter Phillips, Highways England route sponsor, said the roundabout was built to the specification outlined in the proposals that received planning permission.

"Since opening to traffic, Junction 10a on the M20 has helped to reduce congestion and keep traffic moving during any cross-Channel disruption," he said.

HGV drivers have been getting stuck in Mersham for months; this photo shows one incident in January. Picture: Stewart Ross
The £104m roundabout opened to traffic in late 2019

"After listening to feedback at the ABC's joint transportation board, we have committed to investigating whether any improvements can be made to the signage at the junction."

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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