Operation Brock is part of a series of measures to improve Kent’s resilience in the event of disruption to services across the English Channel. This is a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing reduced ferry capacity at the Port of Dover.
When there’s any sort of disruption in the channel, HGV traffic on the M20 heading for the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel has nowhere to go. Due to the deployment of Operation Brock, EU bound freight traffic will be using the coastbound carriageway on the M20 between J8 and J9, where they will be queued and released when space at the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel becomes available.
EU bound freight traffic as well as being queued within the coastbound carriageway are also being queued within the coastbound contraflow to assist with managing capacity.
Visit our dedicated Operation Brock page here to find out more information about the scheme.
Diversion route
Local traffic is advised to follow route marked by the hollow circle diversion symbol on local road signs
- Leave the M20 at J8 and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A20 eastbound towards Ashford.
- Follow the A20 through Harrietsham, Lenham and Charing to the Drovers roundabout and take the 1st exit to continue on the A20 towards the M20.
- Follow the A20 to the M20 J9 roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto the M20 coastbound to continue your journey.
EU freight traffic should leave the M20 at the J8 exit slip road and rejoin the M20 via the entry slip road at J8.
If the above closures impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
