National Highways and the Kent Resilience Forum have confirmed that the contraflow system on the M20 will be removed this weekend. The contraflow had been in place on the 13-mile stretch between Junctions 8 (Maidstone) and 9 (Ashford) throughout the Christmas period as part of Operation Brock, the government’s contingency plan for managing cross-Channel disruption.
The removal of the contraflow will begin on Friday night at 8pm. By 6am on Saturday, two lanes will be open coastbound between Junctions 7 and 9, and London-bound between Junctions 9 and 8. During this process, the moveable barrier will be shifted to the coastbound hard shoulder.
There will be an overnight closure on the London-bound M20 from 8pm Saturday to 6am Sunday to relocate the barrier to lane 1 between Junctions 8 and 9. The barrier will remain in place until spring to protect workers carrying out verge repairs, which means a 50mph speed limit will continue to be enforced in the area.
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. We’ll remove it this weekend, but the barrier will remain until spring for worker safety.”
Road users should be aware of important diversion routes this weekend. Coastbound traffic is advised to exit the M20 at Junction 7, head north on the A249 to M2 Junction 5, then continue on the M2 and A2 to Dover. For Eurotunnel access, drivers should take the A20 westbound to M20 Junction 13 (Folkestone), then exit at Junction 11 (Hythe). London-bound traffic should follow the fully signed diversion along the A20. Over-height vehicles are directed to divert via the A2, M2, and A249.
Originally published by UKNIP.
