Part of M20 to be shut all weekend amid damaged footbridge removal

A section of the M20 will be closed in both directions all weekend to enable a damaged footbridge to be removed.

The busy motorway will shut in Kent from 8pm on Friday until 6am on Monday to allow Highways England (HE) to carry out the work.

Traffic chaos was sparked when the footbridge was hit by a digger being transported on the back of a lorry last Saturday, during the August bank holiday weekend.

The collapsed section was removed and the road was reopened the following day, but further work involving around 100 people is required to take away the remaining structure.

HE's chief highway engineer Catherine Brookes said: "Safety remains Highways England's top priority. We worked hard last weekend to reopen the M20 as soon as it was safe to do so and I would like to thank drivers for their patience while we did this.

"The remaining section of the bridge has been assessed and is safe for traffic to pass underneath with a temporary 50mph speed limit.

"We naturally need to remove it under safe controlled conditions this weekend. We will use the closures to carry out as much work as possible, including barrier repairs, resurfacing and litter-picking. We will start planning the replacement in due course."

The coast-bound carriageway will be closed between junctions one and four, while the London-bound road will be shut between junctions four and two.

HE said "clearly signed diversions will be in place" to assist motorists.