Home   Ashford   News   Article

M20 Junction 10a traffic lights in Ashford spark complaints

Dashcam footage shows drivers having to wait at new traffic lights for more than a minute - even though barely any other vehicles are around.

Frustrated motorists using Junction 10a in Ashford have complained to Highways England about the signals, which were installed last month.

VIDEO: Dashcam footage shows just how slow new Junction 10a lights are

Now a video taken by trucker Darren Turner captures just how slow the new lights on the M20 roundabout are.

He pulled up at the junction earlier this month but had to wait more than 60 seconds at a red light - even though only one car passed in front of him.

"I have been there again since I shot the footage and the driver of the van in front of me was unsure, not knowing if they were working," he said.

"The driver was edging forward, probably wondering if he should ignore them.

Some view the new lights as unnecessary. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Some view the new lights as unnecessary. Picture: Barry Goodwin

"I'm a lorry driver, so regularly come across traffic lights that aren't working, so I wouldn't have been surprised if that was the case there.

"I'm actually in favour of the lights if they're timed properly because some of the exits off that roundabout seem a bit sharp to me.

"I can imagine trucks moving too quickly could topple over the embankment - slowing them down could help avoid that.

"Nobody seems to appreciate that they're also allowed to slow down and give lorries a chance to get onto these fast moving roundabouts.

"Without traffic lights, some are like trying to join the Daytona 500 half way through the race."

The Junction 10a traffic lights have proven controversial. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The Junction 10a traffic lights have proven controversial. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Mr Turner's dashcam captured the footage on Wednesday, May 6 just before 9am.

Highways England says the lights are working on a MOVA [Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation] system, which is a method of adaptive signal control based on the presence of vehicles detected on the approach to the junction.

A spokesman said there have been "very few complaints" about the signals.

He said: "There are no reported issues with the automation of the lights, so we don’t expect to make any changes to the system at this time.

"We’ll continue to monitor the impact on the junction to see how the lights perform, and will look to respond to any issues should they arise."

Junction 10a opened to traffic in October. Picture: Ady Kerry
Junction 10a opened to traffic in October. Picture: Ady Kerry

The lights - which were installed on April 20 - have always been part of Highways England’s plans for the junction - a scheme which was first mooted more than a decade ago and opened to traffic last October.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Highways England said it expected the Junction 10a scheme to be completed later this year, with landscaping work finishing in early 2021.

Chiefs had hoped the project would be finished by this summer, but have now pushed back the estimated completion date.

Keep up-to-date with developments on transport and stories that will impact how you travel

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More