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End M20 overnight closures early, say Kent MPs

MPs are calling on Highways England to end overnight works up to 90 minutes earlier to prevent disruption.

Some schools around the M20 have complained of pupils turning up late as a result of overnight work last week, regardless of their form of transport.

The overnight closures, which ended at 6am each day, were coupled with lane closures on the M2 and roadworks in surrounding villages.

Part of the M20 is being transformed into a smart motorway. Stock picture. (4550770)
Part of the M20 is being transformed into a smart motorway. Stock picture. (4550770)

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat has joined Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch, Maidstone and The Weald's Helen Grant and Faversham and Mid Kent's Helen Whately in calling for a change.

The group have written to Highways England asking for future overnight works to end at 4.30am.

Local schools complained up to 15% of pupils were late during last week's closures.

Mr Tugendhat said: "Traffic congestion in communities near the M20 is bad enough, but when overnight closures don’t finish until 6am it makes the morning rush hour unbearable.

The letter signed by four Kent MPs has been sent to Highways England's chief executive, Jim O'Sullivan (5423325)
The letter signed by four Kent MPs has been sent to Highways England's chief executive, Jim O'Sullivan (5423325)

"That’s what happened last week and caused so much disruption.

"I’ve teamed up with Helen, Tracey and Helen to ask Highways England to rethink this.

"It’s important the works are done as quickly as possible, but communities can’t tolerate this level of disruption throughout the works."

Work to change the M20 into a Smart Motorway is expected to last until 2020.

This weekend four miles of the M20 will close to replace Teapot Lane footbridge in Aylesford.

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