History of Maidstone's Roads
In 1728 the road from Rochester to Maidstone became one of the first in Kent to be turnpiked, signifying the town’s importance. In the 18th and 19th centuries the A20, A229, A26 and A274 were served by the Turnpike trusts.
The A20, originally opened in 1960 as the Maidstone Bypass, A20(M), was the first motorway standard road to be built south of London.
