National Highways is closing sections of the M20 overnight from Sunday into Monday to enable the removal of the Operation Brock contraflow for Christmas.
The contraflow has been in place on a 13-mile section of the M20 between junctions 8 (Maidstone east) and 9 (Ashford) since Monday 16 Dec as a contingency measure to help keep traffic moving across the region when there are high passenger numbers or disruption to services across the channel.
Closures to enable removal of the contraflow will affect the M20 London-bound between junctions 9-8 and coastbound from junctions 7 (Maidstone/Sittingbourne) to 9 (Ashford).
Closures will be in place from 8pm on Sunday 22 December to 6am on Monday 23 December and have been timed to minimise disruption to road users and ensure the diversion routes are suitable for traffic.
While the M20 is closed to remove Operation Brock, clearly signed diversion routes will be in place and all drivers are advised to follow the diversion signs over sat-nav instructions.
Once removed, both carriageways will re-open with three lanes and the national speed limit back in place.
Sean Martell, National Highways’ head of service delivery for the South East, said: “Our job is to keep the country moving and while Operation Brock helps us to do that it wouldn’t be as effective without the patience and understanding of those living and working locally.
“We appreciate people’s support and we only implement – and remove the contraflow – when we believe the traffic conditions and intelligence we have around activity at the channel crossings supports those decisions.
“With our partners at the Kent Resilience Forum we believe now is the right time to remove Operation Brock and the M20 should be operating normally by 6am on Monday morning.
“Thank you for your continued support and we wish you a happy and healthy Christmas.”
