A20(M)
A20(M) | ||||||||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||||||||||||||
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From: | Aylesford (TQ731578) | |||||||||||||||
To: | Eyhone Street (TQ822546) | |||||||||||||||
Distance: | 7 miles (11.3 km) | |||||||||||||||
Met (1961): | A20, A229, A249, A2020 | |||||||||||||||
Now part of: | M20 | |||||||||||||||
Primary Destinations | ||||||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | ||||||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | ||||||||||||||||
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Junction List | ||||||||||||||||
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A20(M) is the original number of the M20 Maidstone Bypass. It was renumbered to become the M20 in 1971. The road was totally rebuilt in the 1990s to the layout seen today.
During the time this motorway was around, the A20 in Maidstone was called A2020; it returned to its original number when the A20(M) became the M20.
History
The 7 mile road opened in two stages.
Eastern section: 1 June 1960 for the 5.25 miles from a temporary junction with the then A2011 Forstal Road, west of J6 Sandling to terminate at the J8 Hollingbourne A20 flyover. Contractor was Richard Costain Ltd., tender cost £1.5 million. Work had started in April 1958.
Western section: 3 December 1960 for the 1.25 mile from the A2011 temporary junction to J5 A20 near Royal British Legion Village. This included the Medway Bridge. Contractor was Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Ltd., tender cost £1 million. Work had started in early 1959.
Construction
It had 24 foot wide dual carriageways, 8 foot hard shoulders and a 13 foot central reservation. There were 15 bridges and 3 pedestrian subways. The Medway Bridge was a 3 span pre-stressed concrete structure, 325 feet long with a central span of 145 feet. The connecting spur along Coldharbour Lane at J5 was 33 feet wide.
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