A contraflow system will be reintroduced on M20 for the summer holidays. The Kent motorway connecting London to the Port of Dover will be shut overnight on Wednesday, July 10, between Maidstone and Ashford to allow for the system to be deployed.
It follows Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, which has resulted in longer border checks for people travelling to France and other parts of continental Europe. Drivers heading to the continent have been advised to plan their journeys, allow for more travel time and be prepared for delays.
Once the barriers are in place, all HGVs heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel must follow the signs to join what is known as Operation Brock at M20 junction 8. To better control the expected traffic volumes and to help minimise disruption on the roads of Dover and Folkestone, a new permit system will be introduced for the Operation Brock freight queue.
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These permits aim to stop HGV drivers from ‘rat running’ as they journey through Kent to cross the English Channel and try to dodge Operation Brock queues.
Such permits would be given to Port of Dover-bound freight drivers at the front of the contraflow queue. Then, to make sure drivers follow the correct route, all HGVs heading to Dover will need to leave the A20 at the Courtwood Interchange, at the junction of the A20 and the B2011, where their permits would be checked at the end of the slip road.
Once they have proven they have complied, they will be allowed to re-enter the TAP queue on the A20 and carry on to the port. As well as helping reduce traffic in the coastal towns, it is also hoped that the permits will reduce the need for sudden closures of the A20 Roundhill Tunnels in Folkestone during the peak periods.
HGV drivers who don’t comply with the signage could be hit with a £300 fine and sent to the back of the queue. All other coast-bound traffic – including local freight and car drivers heading for the continent – should follow the signs and cross over to enter the contraflow on the M20 London-bound carriageway.
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