Operation
Brock will go live on 28 October to manage any
traffic disruption and help keep trade moving in and
out of the UK.
The government has worked closely with the Kent
Resilience Forum to implement the scheme, which will
manage any delays to Europe-bound freight while
protecting local roads from disruption.
It will keep the M20 open in both directions for all
other traffic, minimising any impacts on local
residents, businesses and public services.
This comes as the Department for Transport launches a
targeted information campaign to ensure hauliers know
what to expect if they are travelling to the Port of
Dover or Eurotunnel in a no-deal Brexit scenario.
Transport Minister , said:
We want residents in Kent and hauliers travelling
from across the EU to be reassured that
there are robust plans in place to deal with any
disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
We now need everyone to do their bit – whether you
are travelling to see family, heading to work or
transporting vital goods around the country, please
check before you travel to ensure you know what to
expect and have the right documents when heading to
the border.
Hauliers driving during Operation Brock and heading to
Europe via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel will need to
be on the Operation Brock routes and follow all
diversions, instructions and speed restrictions rather
than relying on satellite navigation systems.
They will also need to be ready to show that they have
the right
paperwork before reaching the border to avoid
being turned back – or else risk facing fines and
further delays.
New legislation will help keep them on main routes
through Kent and away from local roads – reducing the
impact of any disruption on local communities.
Traffic officers in Kent will have new and enhanced
powers from 31 October to help ensure hauliers are
complying with the Operation Brock system.
Final works in the coming weeks will ensure that the
holding areas are ready to be activated on October 28
as Operation Brock goes live.
This means that from 26-27 October there will be
overnight closures on the M20 between junctions 7 and
9, so that final preparations can be carried out
safely.
Policy Manager for South East England at Freight
Transport Association Heidi Skinner said:
Any move which keeps traffic flowing to and from the
coast, and through and around Kent, is to be welcomed
in order to keep Britain trading.
Our members have been asking for clarity on the
arrangements for some time, so this news will help
them to prepare for a potential no deal Brexit and
any resulting traffic disruption which may occur.
Once Operation Brock goes live on Monday 28 October,
lorries heading for mainland Europe will need to use
the coastbound carriageway of the M20 between junctions
8 and 9, with a 30mph speed limit in place.
All other traffic will run on the London-bound
carriageway between these junctions, with two lanes in
each direction operating at 50mph.
In addition, Highways England is fast-tracking work to
ensure that key slip roads at a new junction being
created on the M20 near Ashford will be open to traffic
by the 31 October.
