Major M20 Upgrade Begins as Operation Brock Barrier Moves
After more than two months of using a makeshift traffic scheme sparked by the halt of P&O ferry services, changes are finally underway on the M20. The controversial barrier keeping freight flowing across the Channel via Eurotunnel and Dover is being shifted for good.
Barrier Shift Clears the Hard Shoulder
National Highways is relocating the coastbound contraflow barrier from the hard shoulder to the central reservation between Junction 8 (maidstone/" title="Maidstone" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Maidstone) and Junction 9 (Ashford). This move is critical to restarting essential safety work and finally restoring the hard shoulder’s full width on this busy freight route.
KRF partners promised our residents, businesses, and hauliers we would keep the use of Brock under constant review and remove it as soon as it was practical to do so,” said Simon Jones, Kent Resilience Forum Strategic Lead. “We can safely deliver on our pledge now that the half-term and Jubilee holidays are over.”
Keeping Kent Moving, Businesses Open
Kent is a vital gateway to Europe, and cross-Channel traffic has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. “We will continue to collaborate and use traffic management, our current best available option, to do everything possible to keep Kent moving, businesses open, and communities safe from the worst effects of disruption,” Jones added. “As always, I appreciate everyone’s continued patience.”
Work to Last Until Early Next Year
The barrier move includes a major drainage upgrade along this 13-mile stretch of the M20. Drivers should expect the 50mph speed limit on both carriageways to remain in place until the project wraps up early next year.
Storing the moveable barrier on the London-bound hard shoulder was only a temporary fix,” said Highways England Regional Director Nicola Bell. Moving the structure to the central reservation will restore the original width of the hard shoulder between Ashford and Maidstone.
