Status unknown
Better road layout required for J10 of the M20 exit onto A2070 whilst road works in place
Sent to Kent County Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 1296790.
To whom it may concern,
I feel I need to make people aware that the current layout/signage/road markings etc on junction 10 roundabout of the M20 in Ashford Kent are very hazardous and are leading to some confusion and congestion in the area.
As you're likely to be aware the inside (1st lane) of the A2070 in Ashford is closed off from J10 M20 exit (heading towards Kingsnorth) and cars using this road are to enter the A2070 from the 1st lane on junction 10 M20 roundabout, crossing at the head of the road into lane 2 of the A2070 according to the current clear signage. I have to say the signs are clear that the 2nd lane of J10 M20 roundabout should no longer enter into A2070 yet the cones and road markings/layout are so dangerous as they don't reitterate this point.
Cars are ignoring the road signs and are continuing to enter the A2070 from the 2nd lane of J10 as it was before the lane closure. Forcing those of us using this 1st lane to enter the A2070 almost into the cones or to stop to let them in, in turn causing congestion and almost accidents. Basically two lanes are continuing to turn into one lane, but with no space to do so (the 1st and 2nd lane on the roundabout into the 2nd lane of the A2070).
Can I suggest that perhaps the road markings are changed and or an s bend of cone's are put in place. So that lane 1 exits into lane 1 but crosses like an s into lane 2 of a2070 a little further down. Therefore blocking off the head of lane two to stop these almost accidents.
I've lost count of the number of vehicles I've witnessed or almost had in the side of me pulling in across the front of my car or others into this lane from lane 2 of the roundabout. it is so so dangerous as it is laid out. A couple of days ago i witnessed a highways maintenance truck also take this wrong, cutting closely in front of other vehicles in front of me, what a bad example to set!
There are also other areas of the junction 10, M20 roundabout that the road markings (which have recently been changed ) don't seem to align correctly with lanes or signage which I feel need looking at again.
The congestion on this roundabout tonight was particularly terrible!
Updates
-
Came through this morning and the layout of the cones have changed somewhat. Now lane 2 of A2070 is coned off. This has made the entrance at the head of the road a bit easier to negotiate also allowing more room for those still entering in lane two, more room to merge should they not obey the signage. It's an improvement from a safety point of view, but I sense that the layout is gonna keep changing as works progress.. so who knows! I just hope any changes in layout have a far more safer consideration for all than that previously experienced.
-
Although there are no cones present on the A2070 at present, I've been told that these cones will be present again in June. I just hope that they won't be as dangerous a layout as they have been previously. The response I had from highways people didn't really answer or address the safety concerns I had in the first instance unfortunately. I was told the layout was what had been agreed. But nothing mentioned with regards to safety concerns.
-
Well very sad to see the cones have returned back to the original dangerous layout. No one is taking any notice that the middle lane no longer can be used to enter the A2070 and I have to say the cone layout is not helping! So those obeying the road signs, lane markings which clearly state 1st lane only A2070 and middle lane to follow round towards town/M20 only, now are being forced to abruptly stop by those that are using the middle lane to enter A2070, I might add at speed to cut in front of all the cars in the 1st correct lane. It's an accident waiting to happen on what is a busy roundabout as it is before all the road works.
Provide an update
Please note that updates are not sent to the council. Your information will only be used in accordance with our privacy policy