Overnight M20 Closure Planned for Operation Brock Installation

Drivers travelling through Kent are being warned of overnight closures on the M20 as traffic management measures are introduced ahead of expected holiday travel disruption at Channel ports.

National Highways confirmed that sections of the motorway between Maidstone and Ashford will close overnight on Tuesday 19 May to allow the Operation Brock contraflow system to be put in place.

The temporary traffic arrangement will operate along a 13-mile stretch of the M20 between junction 8 near Maidstone and junction 9 at Ashford. The system is being activated at the request of the Kent & Medway Resilience Forum due to forecasts of increased passenger and freight traffic heading towards Dover and the Eurotunnel during the holiday period.

To safely install the contraflow barriers, the motorway will be shut in both directions overnight. London-bound traffic will be closed between junctions 9 and 8, while coastbound traffic will be diverted between junctions 7 and 9.

The closures are scheduled to begin at 8pm on Tuesday evening and are expected to remain in place until 6am on Wednesday morning.

Signed diversion routes will operate throughout the closure period, and motorists are being advised to follow official road signs rather than relying solely on satellite navigation systems.

Once the motorway reopens, the Operation Brock traffic layout will be active. Under the arrangement, heavy goods vehicles travelling to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel terminals will be directed to join the dedicated Brock queueing system at junction 8.

Other coastbound traffic, including cars and local freight vehicles, will be routed through the contraflow system on the London-bound carriageway.

Operation Brock was introduced to help manage congestion in Kent during periods of disruption affecting cross-Channel travel. The system is intended to reduce gridlock on local roads by separating freight traffic from general motorway traffic when delays occur at ports or border crossings.

Authorities say the overnight installation has been timed to minimise disruption while ensuring the motorway can be safely prepared for increased traffic levels expected over the coming weeks.