M20 Operation Brock contraflow to be removed in time for Christmas

Confirmation of the decision was reached today (Thurs 19 Dec) by National Highways and our partners in the Kent Resilience Forum.

The contraflow has been in place on a 13-mile section of the M20 between junctions 8 (Maidstone east) and 9 (Ashford) since Monday 16 Dec as a contingency measure to help keep traffic moving across the region when there are high passenger numbers or disruption to services across the channel.

To safely remove the contraflow, the M20 will be closed – London bound between junctions 9 – 8 and coastbound from junctions 7 (Maidstone/Sittingbourne) – 9 (Ashford). The closures will be in place from 8pm on Sunday (22 Dec) to 6am on Mon (23 Dec). These times have been chosen to minimise disruption to road users and ensure the diversion routes are suitable for traffic.

While the M20 is closed to remove Operation Brock, clearly signed diversion routes will be in place and all drivers are advised to follow the diversion signs over Satnav instructions.

Once removed, both carriageways will re-open with three lanes and the national speed limit back in place.

Sean Martell, National Highways, Head of Service Delivery for the South East, thanked drivers for their understanding while Operation Brock was in place.

“Our job is to keep the country moving and while Operation Brock helps us to do that it wouldn’t be as effective without the patience and understanding of those living and working locally.

“We appreciate people’s support and we only implement – and remove the contraflow – when we believe the traffic conditions and intelligence we have around activity at the channel crossings supports those decisions.

“With our partners at the Kent Resilience Forum we believe now is the right time to remove Operation Brock and the M20 should be operating normally by 6am on Monday morning. Thank you for your continued support and we wish you a happy and healthy Christmas.”

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.

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