It is expected that the M20/A20 and M2/A2 approaches to Dover in the lead-up to Christmas will again be busy for tourists, freight and local traffic.

The Port of Dover, Highways England, Kent Police, and Kent County Council are advising local road users to consider alternative routes such as the B2011, A256 or A258 during busy times.

Following agreement with all partners, Highways England is putting out extra signs along the A256, A258 and at Whitfield roundabout, and drivers are also being advised to plan their journeys and allow plenty of time to travel.

As well as extra holiday and freight traffic, throughout this period, the Port of Dover and security services will continue to follow UK and French government requirements to deliver heightened security checks to keep the traveling public safe following the recent attacks in Paris.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

Highways England is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Maintenance and improvement projects: We plan maintenance and improvement projects carefully to allow road works to be completed safely, in a cost effective way while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum. We do as much work as possible overnight and when roads are less busy in order to keep more lanes open for road users at peak travel times. Drivers are advised to check their route for road works and allow extra time for their journeys where needed. We have a variety of journey planning tools that road users can use to check travel conditions on the roads we manage, and we will do all we can to keep road users informed.

Safety at roadworks: Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

– Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.

– Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.

– Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.

– Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.

– Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.

– Observe all signs – they are there to help you.

– And be alert for road workers, the roads are their workplace.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:

From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk

By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to an 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier.) Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.

On Apple and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in the South East follow us at @HighwaysSEAST or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.

Issued by Highways England.

For further information please contact the South East press office on 0300 470 1214. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to Highways England’s National Press Office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448.