National Highways and the Kent Resilience Forum have confirmed the removal of the Operation Brock contraflow system on the M20 motorway. The contraflow had been in place on the 13-mile stretch between Junction 8 (Maidstone) and Junction 9 (Ashford) during the busy Christmas period as a precaution against cross-Channel travel disruption.
The contraflow system will be removed starting at 8pm on Friday night. By 6am on Saturday, two lanes will reopen on the coastbound side between Junctions 7 and 9, and on the London-bound side between Junctions 9 and 8. The moveable barrier will be temporarily shifted to the coastbound hard shoulder.
The London-bound M20 will close overnight from 8pm on Saturday to 6am on Sunday while the barrier is moved to lane 1. The barrier will remain in place to protect workers carrying out verge repairs between Junctions 8 and 9. A 50mph speed limit will continue to be enforced in this area on both carriageways for safety reasons.
Christine Allen, interim regional director for National Highways, said: “Operation Brock is a critical contingency measure that helps to keep Kent moving in times of cross-Channel disruption. We appreciate everyone’s patience while the contraflow system was in place. National Highways will remove the contraflow this weekend, but the barrier will remain on the London-bound M20 until spring for workforce safety. This allows barrier storage when it’s not in use.”
Traffic diversions to be aware of include:
- Coastbound: Exit at Junction 7, take the A249 north to M2 Junction 5, then continue on the M2 and A2 to Dover.
- Eurotunnel: Use the A20 westbound to M20 Junction 13, then exit at Junction 11 (Hythe) for the tunnel.
- To London: Follow the fully signed diversion on the A20.
- Over-height vehicles: Must use the A2, M2, and A249 routes.
Originally published by UKNIP.
