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Bern, if it helps I am happy to explain my views on the A20.
I feel that this road is overused, poorly served and in the wrong place. It cuts this town off from its own seafront and often causes congestions that clog up the whole town. On average we suffer major tailbacks about three times as often as 'Operation Stack' is put in place and when we do the road is badly policed (if at all). The most obvious answer is to swap the emphasis to the A2, possibly with a 'ring' road to take traffic around the town instead of through it but of course the government appears loath to even consider the idea. The Aycliffe area not only suffers from the noise and air pollution when there is any tailbacks but also has the added problem of arctics coming onto the estate (which is closed having only one road in and out). Once on the estate, which is not designed for vehicles of any length, they always cause disruption and often damage walls, road signs, lampposts etc while they try to manouver back out. This also happens whenever diversions are put in place because of the poor policing. Despite constantly asking for better sinage and clearer road markings the Highways Agency has a stock answer that speed limits will solve the problem. This is of course a complete nonsense as it does not matter if they are doing fify or five miles an hour, once diverted they will look for an alternative route and there is nothing to dissaude them from trying 'Old Folkestone Road'. Suggesting speed limits as the only answer just shows a complete lack of understanding of the problems or worse a total lack of concern for them.
One of the often proposed solutions, from DHB and strongly supported by the Chamber of Commerce, is to stick a lorry park or buffer zone, or whatever else they want to call it, right at the end of the estate. As that is in the direction of the prevailing wind it means right where the playing field and primary school (soon to have a Children's Centre) would get the full benefit of all the extra noise, light and air pollution before contaminating the rest of this residential area. As you can imagine, I am strongly opposed to this location. I also question the proposed new development at the Western Docks because the proposed road layout would encourage greater use of the stretch of road across the Western Heights roundabout. This will not only increase the difficulties for Aycliffe whenever there is a problem but it will also reduce the effective arguments in favour of the duelling and greater use of the A2. It will also do little to mitigate the effect the road has in dividing the town
Hope this clarifies it all for you from my end.
