A20
From Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
| A20 | |||||||||||||||||||
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| From: | London (TQ365770) | ||||||||||||||||||
| To: | Dover (TR328415) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 71.2 miles (114.6 km) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Meets: | M20, M25, M26, A2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Former Number(s): | A2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Destinations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ashford • Central London • Channel Tunnel • Dover • Folkestone • Lewisham • London • Maidstone • | |||||||||||||||||||
| Highways Authorities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Counties | |||||||||||||||||||
| Route outline (key) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Contents |
Route
The A20 is Kent's other major First 99 road. Its route to Dover is more southerly than the A2, passing towns like Maidstone, Ashford and Folkestone. Most of the route has been superseded by the M20. So today much of it is a busy local road. It also the only First 99 road to end on the same road is it started on, the A2.
History
The A20 has had many changes overs the years. It has been renumbered in Maidstone, by-pass Sidcup, Swanley and Farmingham and been superseded by the M20. Also it used to be ultra busy when the British Grand Prix was at Brands Hatch. That ended in 1986 and since 1993, there has been little work done on the A20 itself.
Notable locations and improvements
Swanley Interchange
The Swanley Interchange is where the A20 hands over Trunk status to the M20. First built in 1968, it has changed massively since then with the M20 in 1978 & the M25 opening in 1986, today it is a very busy junction. So busy, there are Traffic lights on it.
Ashford Bypass
The Ashford Bypass is a bypass of Ashford. First planed before World War two and finally built in 1956, it provided relief to the town of Ashford. In 1983, most of it became M20 and today is not part of the A20.
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is one of the reasons much of the A20 is non primary today. Opening in 1994, it offered new ways to get to France.
Roundhill Tunnel
Roundhill Tunnel is a pair of bored tunnels in Folkestone. They were built in 1993.
Opening Dates
| Month | Year | Section | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Capel le Ferne Bypass | Dual carriageway Bypass. | |
| 1988 | Ruxley Bypass | Dual carriageway Bypass. | |
| 1983 | Ashford Bypass | Road upgraded to motorway. | |
| 1974 | Maidstone renumbering back to A20 | Road renumbering. | |
| 1968 | Swanley Bypass | Dual carriageway Bypass. | |
| 1961 | Maidstone Bypass | Motorway Bypass. | |
| 1956 | Ashford Bypass | Dual carriageway Bypass. | |
| 1925 | Farmingham Bypass | Single carriageway Bypass. | |
| 1923 | Eltham bypass / Sidcup Arterial Road | Single carriageway Bypass. |
Pictures
 A20 at Wrotham Hill |
 A20 Charing bypass |
 The end of the A20 at Dover. |
Links
roadsUK
Wikipedia
