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The dates for a weekend closure of the M20 have changed again

Plans to close the M20 to install a new footbridge have been put back for a third time in a move which avoids a potential clash with Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

Highways England was supposed to have removed and installed a new footbridge at Teapot Lane, Aylesford over the summer holidays.

But after shifting the dates to avoid disrupting motorists getting away for the summer holidays, the authority was branded "disrespectful" for closing four miles of the motorway on Remembrance Sunday.

Highways England removing Teapot Lane footbridge that crosses the M20. Picture: Andy Jones
Highways England removing Teapot Lane footbridge that crosses the M20. Picture: Andy Jones

Having removed the footbridge last month, Highways England changed the dates again, pledging to have work done 24 hours earlier, on the morning of November 11, before parades begun.

Now the entire project has been pushed back a week.

The work will now be carried out from 10pm on Friday, November 16, to 6am on Monday, November 19.

The motorway will be closed in both directions between junction four (Leybourne) and six (Blue Bell Hill).

During the closure the entry slip at junction seven (Maidstone) will be closed, after drivers were caught on camera driving the wrong way to get off the M20 and avoid last month's closure.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch said: "This provides re-assurance that Remembrance Parades will definitely not be effected by the installation schedule but it does beg the question about whether the planning process has been as considered as it should have been in the first place."

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