Overnight M20 Closures Planned for Operation Brock Ahead of Easter Getaway

Motorists are being warned of overnight closures on the M20 as preparations begin to install the Operation Brock contraflow system ahead of the Easter travel period.

The closures will take place on Wednesday 1 April from 8pm, affecting sections between Maidstone and Ashford. The measures are being introduced at the request of the Kent & Medway Resilience Forum in anticipation of increased passenger traffic through Kent’s ports.

The contraflow will be set up along a 13-mile stretch of motorway between junction 8 (Maidstone) and junction 9 (Ashford). Operation Brock is designed to help manage traffic and maintain flow in the event of disruption to cross-Channel services.

To allow the system to be safely installed, parts of the M20 will be closed overnight. This includes the London-bound carriageway between junctions 9 and 8, and the coastbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 9. The road is expected to reopen by 6am on Thursday 2 April.

Diversions will be clearly signposted throughout the closure, and drivers are advised to follow official diversion routes rather than relying on satellite navigation systems.

Once the motorway reopens, the contraflow system will be in operation. Heavy goods vehicles travelling to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel will need to join Operation Brock at junction 8, while other coastbound traffic, including cars and local freight, will be directed into the contraflow via the London-bound carriageway.

The measures aim to reduce congestion and improve resilience on key routes during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.