Highways bosses say they are doing all they can to ensure drivers avoid using a main A-road when part of the M20 shuts again this weekend.

Motorists faced long delays on the A20 earlier this month when the motorway was closed to allow for the installation of a new bridge at junction 10a in Ashford.

Highways England is to shut the same stretch again this weekend between Junctions 9 and 11 to install another crossing, but chiefs say they have "stepped up" their preparations to ensure drivers use the lengthy diversion via the M2 and A2 instead of clogging up the A20.

Scroll down to hear from the project manager

The coastbound stretch between Junction 9 for Ashford and 11 for Hythe will shut from 10pm tonight until 6am on Monday.

The London-bound stretch between Junctions 11 and 10 will also be closed during the same period.

Junction 10a project manager Tom Selby says Highways England has listened to concerns raised during the previous closure, which led to long delays over the January 12-13 weekend.

"We have taken the comments and concerns on board," he said.

"We are doing numerous things to publicise the diversion better and to get people away from the A20.

"A map has been prepared showing the diversion and we have spoken to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel about it.

"We have bolstered up signage in and around the junction - we have certainly stepped up communications this time."

Long queues built up on the A20 in Sellindge during the closure earlier this month, with drivers stuck at temporary traffic lights installed outside a new Taylor Wimpey housing development.

Mr Selby says the developers "should be relaxing" the temporary lights for the closure this weekend, which will allow for the west gyratory bridge to be put in.

The east and west bridges will form the two sides of the new junction roundabout, carrying traffic over the motorway.

Mr Selby added: "Building this new junction is a huge job, and we are working hard to keep local people up to date about our progress and what our work will mean for them.

"It will be another big milestone this weekend.

"When it is done, people will essentially be able to see junction 10a."

'The scheme is essential to the future development of South Ashford...' - Highways England

Highways England says a clearly signed diversion London-bound will be in place this weekend via M20, A2, M2, A249.

The diversion coastbound will be via M25, A2, M2, and M20.

Motorists are being advised to refrain from using sat-navs while on the diversion route.

A spokesman added: "The M20 is an international route and is used by large volumes of heavy goods and holiday traffic.

"Long distance traffic from the M20, A20 and A2070 (south of Ashford) conflicts with local traffic from Hythe Road and Kennington Road.

"We predict that the existing M20 junction 10 will suffer from congestion and long delays in the future if additional capacity is not created.

"The scheme is essential to the future development of South Ashford.

"The recent improvements at junction 10, to increase the capacity and improve safety, will allow some development to go ahead but will not be sufficient for all of the proposed developments."

Junction 10a is due to open to traffic in September.

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