Brock was reimplemented over Christmas period as a contingency measure due to the presumed risk of cross-channel travel disruption. Following the end to the holiday period, Kent Resilience Forum partners have agreed now is the time to deactivate the contraflow.
The contraflow will be removed overnight from 8pm on Friday 6 January, with the coastbound M20 between junctions 7 and 9 and London-bound M20 between junctions 9 and 8 re-opened to two lanes by 6am on Saturday 7 January. During this closure, National Highways says the moveable barrier will be temporarily relocated to the coastbound hard shoulder.
Moreover, National Highways has confirmed that the London bound M20 will also be closed overnight from 8pm on Saturday 7 January until 6am on Sunday 8 January while the barrier is moved to lane 1 on the London bound M20, where it will remain while work is carried out on the verge between junctions 8 and 9, with the barrier used to protect the workforce.
In addition to this, a 50mph speed limit will remain in operation on the coastbound and London bound M20 carriageway between junctions 8 and 9.
Commenting on the decision, Christine Allen, National Highways Interim Regional Director, said:
“Operation Brock is a crucial contingency measure which helps to keep Kent moving in times of cross channel disruption, and we are grateful for people’s patience while the contraflow system has been in place. National Highways will remove the contraflow this weekend, but the barrier will remain out on the London bound M20 until the Spring for the safety of our workforce while we continue our enabling works for the barrier storage when not in use.”
National Highways adds that clearly signed diversion routes will be in place on the A20 to help road users reach their destination.
The diversion route is described by National Highways as follows:
- Coastbound traffic will follow the fully signed diversion routes and exit junction 7 and take the A249 northbound to the M2 Junction 5 and continue on the M2 and A2 to Dover. Traffic wanting to Eurotunnel will need to take the A20 westbound until it joins the M20 at junction 13. Traffic will then leave the M20 at junction 11 for Eurotunnel.
- London-bound traffic will follow a fully signed diversion routes along the A20. Over-height vehicles should use the A2, M2 and A249.
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