In its statement confirming the move, KRF thanked “residents, businesses, drivers and hauliers for their patience”.
According to KRF, “a busy July and August” is predicted on Dover ferries and Eurotunnel. Therefore, the contraflow at the heart of the Brock traffic management scheme will be reinstated overnight on Sunday 10 July.
“The altered road layout between Junctions 8 and 9 reduces the impact of disruption by directing lorries heading for mainland Europe onto the motorway’s coastbound carriageway, where they can be queued if necessary, while all other traffic can continue on its journey in both directions,” reads KRF’s statement.
KRF also warned truck drivers that lorries heading to Europe are legally required to follow the signed HGV routes to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.
The statement also confirmed that National Highways’ works to relocate the barrier that creates the contraflow permanently to the central reservation will again be suspended. This will only change once Brock has been lifted when “the threat of major disruption has eased”.
Commenting on the decision, Simon Jones, KRF Strategic Planning Lead, said:
“Port of Dover and Eurotunnel are both reporting high booking numbers through July and August, with an increase in tourist traffic from Friday 15th July, and Friday 22 to Sunday 24 July set to be particularly busy, as tens of thousands of families head to Europe during the school holiday season.
“Combined with routine freight and local traffic, plus tourists travelling to our own great beaches and visitor attractions, we know Kent’s roads will be heavily used.
“KRF partners have agreed to implement Brock to ensure that if we need to step up managing EU-bound freight to protect local communities, keep Kent and goods moving as smoothly as possible and give people the opportunity to reach their destination quickly and safely over this period, we can quickly do so.”
Nicola Bell, Highways England Regional Director, added:
“Along with our Kent Resilience Forum partners, we believe Operation Brock to be the best way to allow the local communities and businesses go about their daily business with minimal disruption. We’ve seen in the past how the moveable barrier on the M20 works well, enabling the steady flow of freight into Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover while ensuring motorists can get to where they need to, whatever the circumstances.
“We are committed to keeping the deployment of the barrier under constant review and removing it as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I would like to thank everyone for their patience during this time and urge hauliers to follow the signs on the M20 and stick to the official route.”