M20 motorway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | ||||
Part of  E15 |
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| Maintained by Highways England | ||||
| Length | 50.6 mi (81.4 km) | |||
| Existed | 1971–present | |||
| History | Opened: 1960 (as A20(M)) Renumbered: 1971 Completed: 1991 |
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| Major junctions | ||||
| West end | Swanley | |||
  J1 → M25 motorway   J3 → M26 motorway |
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| East end | Folkestone | |||
| Location | ||||
| Counties: | Kent | |||
| Primary destinations: |
London Maidstone Ashford Channel Tunnel Folkestone |
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| Road network | ||||
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→The M20 is a major motorway located in Kent, England. It's like a super-fast road that helps people travel between Folkestone and Dover in the southeast of England, all the way to the M25 (London's orbital motorway) and London itself.
This motorway is super important for international travel. That's because Folkestone and Dover are where you can catch a ferry or a train through the amazing Channel Tunnel to get to France.
Contents
What is the M20 Motorway?
The M20 motorway is about 50.6 miles (81.4 kilometres) long. It was first opened in 1960, but back then it was called the A20(M). In 1971, it was officially renamed the M20. The motorway was fully completed in 1991.
It helps connect many important towns and cities in Kent. These include Maidstone, Ashford, and Folkestone. It also provides a direct route to the Channel Tunnel, which is a railway tunnel under the English Channel.
Connecting to Other Roads
Motorways like the M20 have special exits and entrances called junctions. These junctions allow drivers to get on and off the motorway safely. They also connect the M20 to other major roads.
- Junction 1 connects the M20 to the M25 motorway. The M25 is a very busy road that goes all the way around London. It helps drivers reach places like Stansted Airport and Heathrow Airport.
- Junction 3 links the M20 to the M26 motorway. The M26 is a shorter motorway that helps connect to other parts of Kent.
- Junction 11a and Junction 12 are very important. They provide direct access to the Channel Tunnel at Cheriton. This is where cars and lorries can drive onto special trains to go under the sea to France.
How the M20 Helps You Travel
The M20 motorway plays a big role in travel and trade for the UK. Because it connects directly to the Channel Tunnel and the ferry ports in Dover, it's a key route for goods and people moving between the UK and mainland Europe.
It also helps people living in Kent travel easily to London for work or fun. And for those wanting to explore the beautiful Kent countryside, the M20 offers a fast way to get there.
Images for kids
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Looking east near Aylesford
