Increased traffic on the A20

Our house is on the A20 between Charing and Hothfield and we have noticed a huge increase in traffic volumes of both cars and commercial vehicles over the time that Operation Brock has been implemented.

We assume this is because drivers try to avoid the narrow two-lane contraflow section which has no escape route in the event of a breakdown or collision.

OR it may be poor signposting at junction 8 which leaves drivers thinking that they should take the A20 in case they will miss getting to Ashford on M20.

This causes increased noise and pollution for us and our neighbors and seems to extend the busy hours well into the night. A nuisance particularly at the moment as the cool nights after hot days mean we leave bedroom windows open to allow cool air in, which makes the noise even more intrusive.

We now know that increased levels of traffic pollution can cause serious illness or death after the finding of the Coroner as in the case of the death of Ella Kiss-Debrah. The Coroner's Court found that traffic pollution "made a material contribution" to the tragic death of Ella.

The noise and pollution make it increasingly toxic to sit in the garden and reduces our quality of life.

Traffic needs to be clearly encouraged to use the Motorway rather than local roads.