Drivers using the A20 to Kent are benefitting from faster journeys this morning (Tuesday 18 July) after the national speed limit was reinstated overnight.

The work is part of an upgrade to a project known as Dover TAP, which helps relieve congestion in Dover town centre by managing peaks of traffic arriving at the port, and meets a commitment made by Highways England to restore the national speed limit ahead of the summer getaway.

A 40mph speed restriction, which has been in place since 2015, was removed at 8pm on Monday evening, and the A20 approaching the port of Dover is now operating at the national speed limit. The temporary 40mph limit will now only be used when the traffic lights that control traffic on approach to the port are in use.

Highways England Regional Director Simon Jones said:

I am delighted that we’ve met this key commitment to restore the national speed limit on the A20 in time for the busy summer holiday season. Removing the 40mph limit will speed up journeys for the many thousands of people who’ll be using Dover to get away on their holidays this summer, as well as people living and working in Dover.

The update comes two weeks after Highways England unveiled the 27 new electronic signs being installed along the road. Work on these permanent electronic signs continues until later this summer, with a lane closure on the coast bound carriageway and additional restrictions as needed. The interim mechanical signs – most commonly used for roadworks – have enabled the national speed limit to be restored in the meantime.

Traffic lights have been in place at the end of the A20 dual carriageway near Dover since April 2015 as part of a trial to help manage traffic arriving at the port during peak periods, with a 40mph speed limit on the approaches to the traffic lights in place for safety. The trial was successful in reducing congestion in Dover town centre and also had a positive effect on air quality in the town.

The traffic lights have been used on more than 200 different occasions to keep traffic flowing through Dover town centre.

Now the arrangement has been made permanent and the new electronic signs, which have now been installed, have enabled the national speed limit to be restored along the road when the traffic lights are not being used.

Barbara Buczek, Port of Dover Director of Corporate Development and Operational Businesses, said:

The return of the national speed limit on the A20 will enhance journeys to, through and around Dover for residents, holiday makers and the nation’s trade.

Alongside Highways England, the Port and its partners are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the effectiveness and fluidity of traffic movements at Dover’s nationally-critical European Gateway.

In total, 27 electronic signs are being installed, with 10 miles of ducting and more than seven miles of cabling to support the new signs. In addition, three weather stations will be added as well as four fog signs to enhance the real-time information provided to drivers.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Boris Johnson and Sigmar Gabriel have signed off on a doubling of funding for UK-German Connection (UKGC), which means an increasing the number of places available on the scheme.

The funding increase, to around £230,000 and matched by the German government, will expand the scheme’s work in bringing together children and teachers in both countries to learn about each other’s language, history, and culture.

The Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said:

I’m proud to have agreed with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel to enhance and expand the great work of UK-German Connection, including working to increase the number of young people learning German.

This agreement shows, once again, that the UK and Germany are the closest of friends and allies. It will allow more young Brits and Germans to benefit in new ways, exposing them to language, culture, and history of both countries.

Through this we can make the relationship between the UK and Germany even stronger for the future.

Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening, said:

Learning about different cultures is an integral part of education, and initiatives like UK-German Connection give young people first-hand experience of new language and history, which is why we are pleased to support it.

The agreement will allow UKGC to expand the range of services they already offer to those in youth groups and in the primary, secondary and further education sectors.

These programmes currently involve visits between British and German schools and youth groups, collaborative projects between students in both countries on our history and culture, creating links between schools including placing German teachers in the UK and the creation of a Youth Ambassadors network looking together at the future challenges faced by the UK and Germany.

Video on UK-German Connection

UK-German Connection

Notes to editors:

The new funding will mean the FCO contributing £90,000, DfE contributing the same amount, while the British Council will contribute £50,000. The German government will match this spending.

UKGC was established by the UK and German governments after the Queen’s State Visit to Germany in 2004. Its work focuses on connecting young people in both countries, exposing them to each other’s cultures and helping them to learn German and English. It delivers a wide range of programmes, including;

1. A Host-a-Teacher programme, in which German teachers take short-term secondments in UK schools. These link our schools, aid professional development and are often followed up with return visits to German schools.
2. Youth Ambassadors’ scheme, where British and German teenagers work together to develop common projects. Recent examples include identity and the role of young people in society; Europe after the referendum; and living in a digital world.
3. School group visits to Germany, allowing our students to work with each other on thematic topics including our history and culture.