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Roadworks on A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road in Ashford delayed again

By: Liane Castle lcastle@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 17:25, 17 February 2023

Updated: 17:41, 17 February 2023

Major roadworks due to finish today have been delayed yet again as contractors are still on site.

Work to replace Ashford's Orbital Park roundabout on A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road with a traffic light-controlled junction started in May and was set to end in October.

Contractors are still working on the new A2070 road layout

However the deadline has been pushed back several times.

Last week National Highways said the upgrades, known as the ‘Bellamy Gurner’ scheme, would be complete by February 17.

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But while workers from contractor FM Conway are close to finishing up, some parts of the new road layout remain closed, and others are yet to be completed.

Ashford Borough Council deputy leader Paul Bartlett (Con) says he is "in contact with the developers to understand the reason for any delay".

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New traffic lights, which will eventually control the flow of traffic across the four-way junction, have been installed but temporary lights are still being used.

The new traffic lights have been installed but are yet to be turned on
The new turnings in and out of Finberry are yet to be complete

The new turning which will allow drivers to turn right out of Finberry's Avocet Way for the first time is also yet to be finished.

Once complete, drivers will also be able to turn right into the estate from the A2070.

It is not clear when work will be done, but traffic website one.network states roadworks are predicted to last in the area until Friday, March 3.

This is despite National Highways last month saying there may be further landscaping works taking place after February 17, but "other than that nothing major".

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson, which is funding the scheme, and National Highways have both been approached for comment.

How the layout of the Bellamy Gurner scheme will look
Some of the new lanes remain closed; FM Conway is carrying out the works

Once the long-awaited scheme is finished, it will mean attention can turn to the widening of the A28 Chart Road from the roundabout by Matalan to the ‘tank’ roundabout, with work predicted to start next year.

Construction of the £26 million dual carriageway was supposed to start in 2018 after scores of trees were felled in preparation.

However work cannot start until at least 400 homes are occupied in Chilmington Green.

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