Overnight closure of the M20 between Ashford and Maidstone
Drivers are advised the M20 will be closed between Maidstone and Ashford overnight tonight (Tuesday 27 May) from 8pm to allow the Operation Brock contraflow to be removed at the request of the Kent & Medway Resilience Forum.
The contraflow system has been deployed on a 13-mile section of the M20 between junctions 8 Maidstone and 9 Ashford, for the May bank holiday weekend, due to expected high passenger numbers at the Kent ports.
Operation Brock is part of a series of measures to improve Kent’s resilience and ensure the smooth flow of traffic through the region in the event of disruption to services across the English Channel.
To safely remove the contraflow, the M20 will be closed – London bound from junction 9 to 8 and coastbound junction 7 to 9 – overnight from 8pm on Tuesday 27 May to 6am on Wednesday 28 May 2025.
Fully signed diversion routes will be in place while the M20 is closed overnight. These times have been chosen to minimise disruption to road users and ensure the roads are suitable for the traffic.
Drivers are advised to follow the diversion signs over their SatNav instructions.
Once removed, both carriageways will re-open with three lanes and the national speed limit back in place.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
