More work after M20 traffic chaos

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Engineering works which caused traffic chaos on the M20 are also planned for the next two weekends.

Drivers were stuck in several hours of delays on Sunday - the hottest day of the year so far - after overnight road closures overran until 1800 BST.

Ambulances were called to people suffering in the heat, water was handed out and the police ran welfare checks.

The Highways Agency is talking to contractors to ensure no further disruption, spokesman Neil Sterio said.

Bridge work at junction 10, near Ashford, had been due to finish at 1000 BST.

There were eight-mile tailbacks on the London-bound carriageway, and queues of three miles heading for the coast.

There was a problem with the bridge they were putting in Neil Sterio

The Highways Agency apologised for the delay and said it was investigating.

On Monday, Mr Sterio said the agency tried to plan work to minimise disruption.

He said the bridge work had been planned to take place on weekend nights, when traffic flow was quieter, and was set to last three weeks.

He said: "We will be having again overnight closures next weekend and the weekend after.

"This did overrun yesterday - we understand there was a problem with the bridge they were putting in."

He confirmed contractors on the M20 project were working for the Highways Agency on a Highways Agency scheme.

And he added: "We take responsibility for these delays.

"We'll be talking to the contractors to see what happened and to ensure no further disruption to motorists next weekend and the weekend after."