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Drivers exiting an industrial estate will face a mile-long diversion from Friday in a bid to ease congestion caused by the opening of a post-Brexit lorry park.
On the night before Britain leaves the EU, cones will be put in place to stop drivers making a right-hand turn when leaving the Orbital Park in Ashford.
Anyone wanting to make a right turn will instead have to swing left and use the A2070 link road roundabout near Junction 10 to turn back on themselves.
The rerouting, which is also set to feature traffic lights on part of the A2070 and Waterbrook Avenue, comes ahead of the opening of the temporary lorry park on the Waterbrook Park estate, which will be used for HMRC customs checks from Friday.
The checks on HGVs were due to be carried out at the 66-acre Sevington lorry park next to Junction 10a, but heavy rain has meant that site won’t be complete until late February.
The plot - officially dubbed the ‘Sevington Inland Border Facility’ - is still set to open on Friday, but only as a holding area for about 1,000 trucks in case there is disruption at the ports.
Ashford Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) says the temporary diversion leading from the ‘McDonald’s roundabout’ could be essential to maintain traffic flow on the A2070.
He said: “There are certainly going to be winners and losers with this - Finberry residents will have further to travel, but those from Hythe Road could find their journeys to Kingsnorth and Bad Munstereifel Road are actually shorter.
“It could also mean a reduction in rat-running over the Boys Hall Road bridge as the new route would be even quicker.
“I can see why they’re doing it, as it’ll allow lorries to exit Waterbrook safely and quickly.
“At the moment it can take an age to leave because of the constant stream of traffic heading towards Kingsnorth from the motorway.
"If lorries are sat there waiting, some drivers could get impatient, and that could lead to accidents."
Cllr Bartlett also praised the new Brexit deal, saying it will reduce the amount of processing each lorry requires.
He said: “I think it’s fair to say the use of the Inland Border Facility will be materially lower because Boris has secured a quota and tariff-free trade deal.
“Those two factors, along with VAT, are the three most time-consuming things in terms of customs."
“Now only VAT will have to be checked, meaning less time spent in the lorry park.
“I’m hopeful that the deal that’s been made will mean less disruption in Ashford, and that the situation will be much better for the town.”
Cllr Bartlett expects the Orbital Park diversion to be in place no longer than March 1, when work is anticipated to begin on replacing the junction with a signalled four-way crossroads.
And traffic lights are being installed this week outside the 66-acre Sevington site which will allow HGV drivers to turn right when leaving the facility.
