Current potential measures to manage traffic flow in Kent are Dover TAP, Operation Stack and potentially the activation of HGV holding areas at Manston Airport. These can be put into place in the event of severe disruption to services across the Channel. For example, as a result of bad weather or industrial action.
Future traffic management in Kent and Operation Brock
Operation Brock is the name given to a suite of measures to keep the M20 open in the event of cross channel disruption. These measures include the movable barrier, currently being installed by Highways England. Once a specialist vehicle is in place, the barrier can be deployed within several hours from the side of the hard shoulder. Further measures are currently under development, to be live from December 2020. Following a consultation, new enforcement powers will also now apply under Operation Brock. These will help the Kent Resilience Forum and its partners to manage heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) congestion caused by disruptions to the Short Straits Channel crossing.
Check an HGV is ready to cross the border service
Hauliers will be able to use this service to check that an HGV has the right EU import and commodities documents for the goods it’s carrying before it crosses the GB / EU border. Hauliers must use this service for HGVs travelling via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel to get a ‘Kent Access Permit’ before they enter Kent. You can be fined £300 if you do not use the service when you travel via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel, or if you provide a fraudulent declaration. It will be optional to use the service for all other GB ports.
