The agency proposing a new junction off the M20 in Ashford are seeking your views on the project.

Highways England opened a public consultation yesterday (Thursday) at the New Ashford Market, on Orbital Park.

The exhibition details the full plans for the proposed new junction 10a, which will hopefully relieve some of the pressure at the existing junction 10.

The scheme has been described as a vital development for Ashford and would be built 700m south-east of junction 10.

Construction would include a two-way 40mph link road built on a new bridge between the M20 and the A2070 at Sevington, a roundabout over the motorway and new traffic signals installed at the end of Church Road.

It would also see the removal of the east facing slip roads at junction 10.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, Valerie Stevens, from Highways England, said that the junction will benefit the people living in Ashford and those passing through.

She said: “We’re going to reduce congestion in the area. And we’ll will be improving safety and helping unlock some regeneration in the area.”

She also encouraged people to attend the consultation and comment on the scheme.

The proposals for 10a have been in the pipeline for years, having originally emerged from a South Ashford Transport Study in 2001, but they have since drawn criticism from local people.

In 2014, 230 residents signed a petition opposing the new junction, saying the plans would “cause chaos” on the surrounding roads.

However, council officials claim that the plans are crucial to provide access to developments around the town such as Cheeseman’s Green and Sevington.

Funding will come from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), a regional group made up of business representatives and council leaders.

The public consultation will continue today (Friday) between 10am-8pm and tomorrow (Saturday) between 9.30am and 3.30pm at the market.

Other meetings will then be held on Wednesday, February 3, from 11am to 3pm at Asda, in Kimberley Way and on Wednesday, February 10 from 11am to 3pm at the Ashford Designer Outlet, in Kimberley Way.