Overnight work to relocate the movable barrier used as part of Operation Brock will start on the M20 in Kent later this month.
The barrier, which can be installed on the motorway as part of measures to keep traffic moving on M20 if there is disruption in the county, is currently being stored on the London-bound hard shoulder but will be relocated to the central reservation.
National Highways will be carrying out an extensive drainage upgrade, ground work to enable storage of the movable barrier and signage installation in the central reservation and London-bound verge to move the Brock barrier, which forms part of the Brock contraflow system, between junctions 8 (Maidstone) and 9 (Ashford) of the M20. Work is due to start overnight on Friday 28 January, and will last up to 12 months.
The current arrangement, which was deployed in December 2020, uses the moveable barrier to allow the Brock contraflow system to be activated on the M20 London-bound carriageway, should the coastbound carriageway be required for queuing port-bound freight. This keeps the M20 open for use rather than traffic diverting
The work to move the barrier will take place in phases, and to carry it out safely, lane closures and a small number of overnight closures will be needed. These will be notified in advance.
Between January and October 2022, the moveable barrier will be used as a traffic management barrier on the London-bound carriageway, while this work takes place. This does not mean the Brock contraflow system will be active, but it will provide a more efficient and cost-effective way of being able to deploy the contraflow quickly and effectively should it be required.
To carry out this work, the following closures will be needed:
Overnight closures
Full closure: The M20 will be closed in both directions between junctions 9 and 8 from 8pm on Friday 28 January 2022 to 6am on Saturday 29 January 2022.
When the road is closed overnight, a clearly signed diversion route, will be in place along the A20 to help road users reach their destination. Over-height vehicles should use the A2, M2 and A249.
Lane closures
From Saturday 29 January 2022 lane closures will be needed between junctions 8 and 9 on both the London-bound and coastbound carriageways for around 40 weeks.
M20, London-bound carriageway: the outside two lanes will be closed using the moveable barrier. Work will start at junction 9 and we’ll then extend the barrier towards junction 8. The barrier will increase in length as the work progresses. The hard shoulder will be in use, so there will be two lanes running London-bound, and a 50-mph speed restriction will be in place when the lanes are closed.
Coastbound carriageway: the outside lane will be closed using cones, and will only be closed when work is taking place. Where the outside lane is closed, there will be a 50-mph speed limit in place.
National Highways will tell road users in advance wherever possible if the road needs to close overnight. Closure dates are subject to change in the case of adverse weather or other unplanned events. It will be possible to deploy the Operation Brock contraflow using the barrier if needed.
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