Motorists are being warned of an overnight closure on the M20 this weekend as the controversial Operation Brock contraflow system is dismantled.
The 13-mile stretch between Junction 8 (Maidstone) and Junction 9 (Ashford) will be closed from 8pm on Sunday, August 17, until 6am on Monday, August 18, to allow removal works to take place.
The closure will affect the London-bound carriageway from Junction 9 to Junction 8, and the coastbound side from Junction 7 to Junction 9. Fully signed diversion routes will be in place, with drivers advised to follow official signs rather than sat-nav instructions.
Once removed, both carriageways will reopen with three lanes and the national speed limit reinstated.
Operation Brock, introduced by the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum during the school summer holidays to manage anticipated port traffic, has long been criticised by residents and MPs, who have called it a “massive inconvenience” and questioned its necessity during every holiday period.
The system, designed to manage HGV queues heading to Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, costs taxpayers around £250,000 each time it is deployed or removed, with maintenance costing an additional £100,000 per week.
National Highways said the closure was scheduled overnight to minimise disruption. The government is currently working on a permanent traffic management solution that would use digital technology and off-road holding sites for lorries, but the plan remains in early stages.
