The permanent closure of two slip roads on the M20 has been postponed, it has emerged.

Yesterday, highways bosses announced the coastbound slip road onto the M20 at junction 10 in Ashford and the London-bound exit slip road at the same junction will shut to allow for new ones to be constructed.

The closures - which are part of the multi-million pound Junction 10a project in Ashford - were planned for Monday, August 5.

It would have meant motorists travelling from the coast to Ashford wishing to leave at junction 10 would have had to have left at junction 9 of the M20.

Drivers going from Ashford towards Dover and wanting to go on the coastbound M20 would have been advised to join the motorway at junction 10 using the London-bound on-slip and then exit at junction 9 before rejoining the M20 in the coastbound direction.

But now, bosses have made a U-turn after announcing the sliproads will no longer close next week.

A Highways England spokesman said: "We are making good progress on creating a new M20 junction for Ashford, which will tackle congestion and bring huge benefits for the town.

"The project has always involved closing the east facing slip roads at the existing junction 10, as they will be superseded by the new junction.

"We had been preparing to make this change from next week but having spoken with local stakeholders we will now do it at a later date.

"Minimising disruption from the roadworks is a priority for us and we are always happy to take local views into account."

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