Operation Brock Shake-Up: Barrier Move to End M20 Chaos
The traffic scheme managing freight flow through Eurotunnel and Dover has been grinding on since P&O ferry services were halted over two months ago. Now, big changes are afoot.
Barrier Shift to Central Reservation
National Highways is set to relocate the coastbound contraflow barrier at the heart of Operation Brock from the hard shoulder to the central reservation. This critical safety upgrade covers the 13-mile stretch of the M20 between Junction 8 (Maidstone) and Junction 9 (Ashford).
Alongside the barrier move, there will be a major drainage overhaul for the central reservation. The work will keep the current 50mph speed limit on both carriageways and is expected to run through to early next year.
Promises Kept as Disruption Eases
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.”
“Our country serves as a major gateway to Europe, and cross-Channel traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels. We will continue to use traffic management—the best tool currently available—to keep Kent moving, support businesses, and protect communities from severe disruption. I appreciate everyone’s continued patience.”
Highways England Bids Farewell to Temporary Fix
Nicola Bell, Highways England Regional Director, added: “Storing the moveable barrier on the London-bound hard shoulder of the M20 was only a temporary solution. Moving the structure to the central reservation will restore the original width of the hard shoulder between Ashford and Maidstone.
The move marks a key step in smoothing cross-Channel traffic and easing Kent’s notorious congestion nightmares.
