Junction 9 and Drovers

As the town grows our road network needs to be able to cope with the increased traffic levels that a bigger population will bring.

Improvements to Junction 9 and Drovers Roundabout will make it easier to travel across town by car, foot or bike and help support future growth of the town in areas such as Eureka Park and Repton Park.

Changes include introducing traffic signals, widening approach roads and building a landmark footbridge over the M20.

By doing the improvements needed for the next 20 years in one go we are taking a coordinated, strategic approach rather than changes in stages as and when development occurs.

This means reduced construction costs and less disruption for residents in the long term.

After months of careful planning, it took engineers less than a day-and-a-half to lift Ashford’s new landmark bridge into place across the M20.

To watch an amazing time lapse video of the bridge arriving click on the link below.
The suspension bridge – with its distinctive cable-stay design - will provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists to get over the motorway.

It will also provide a better link between the town, Kennington and the Eureka Leisure Park.

Although the eye-catching cable-stayed design may look futuristic, this type of bridge has been around for hundreds of years.

Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians had cable-stayed features in their boats and used a type of cable-stayed bridge for pedestrians.

The bridge opened at the end of October with the final works on the Junction 9 improvements and nearby Drovers Roundabout expected to be completed soon.

To view the bridge installation.