Fully signed diversion routes will be in place while the M20 is closed overnight
The M20 will be closed between Maidstone and Ashford overnight tonight (Monday, December 22) for removal of traffic management system Operation Brock.
The motorway will be shut from 8pm at the request of Kent and Medway Resilience Forum.
The contraflow system has been in place on a 13-mile section of the M20 between Junction 8 (Maidstone) and Junction 9 (Ashford).
It was put in place due to expected high passenger numbers at the Kent ports during the weekend. The M20 will be closed London-bound from Junction 9 to Junction 8, and coastbound Junction 7 to Junction 9, tonight (Monday) from 8pm on Monday (December 22) to 6am on Tuesday (December 23)
“Fully signed diversion routes will be in place while the M20 is closed overnight. These times have been chosen to minimise disruption to road users and ensure the roads are suitable for the traffic.
“Drivers are advised to follow the diversion signs over their SatNav instructions,” said a National Highways spokesperson.
Once removed, both carriageways will re-open with three lanes and the national speed limit back in place. The Government announced the scheme in November 2017 as an alternative to Operation Stack.
It was first implemented in March 2019 and introduced ahead of a possible no-deal Brexit.
“Operation Brock is part of a series of measures to improve Kent’s resilience and ensure the smooth flow of traffic through the region in the event of disruption to services across the English Channel,” said the spokesperson.
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