This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50205652
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Operation Brock: No-deal Brexit motorway plan starts on M20 | Operation Brock: No-deal Brexit motorway plan starts on M20 |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A plan to manage traffic congestion on a Kent motorway has come into force as part of plans for a no-deal Brexit. | A plan to manage traffic congestion on a Kent motorway has come into force as part of plans for a no-deal Brexit. |
Operation Brock sees one side of the M20 being used only by HGVs heading to cross-Channel ports. | Operation Brock sees one side of the M20 being used only by HGVs heading to cross-Channel ports. |
All other traffic is restricted to a contraflow system on the opposite carriageway. | All other traffic is restricted to a contraflow system on the opposite carriageway. |
The traffic measures are designed to keep the M20 open in both directions in case there is disruption to services across the English Channel. | The traffic measures are designed to keep the M20 open in both directions in case there is disruption to services across the English Channel. |
Lorries heading for Europe will face a 30mph limit between junctions eight (Maidstone) and nine (Ashford) on the coastbound carriageway of the M20. | Lorries heading for Europe will face a 30mph limit between junctions eight (Maidstone) and nine (Ashford) on the coastbound carriageway of the M20. |
All other traffic on the motorway - including lorries carrying out UK deliveries - must use a 50mph contraflow of two lanes in each direction on the London-bound side of the road. | All other traffic on the motorway - including lorries carrying out UK deliveries - must use a 50mph contraflow of two lanes in each direction on the London-bound side of the road. |
Under plans for Operation Brock, hauliers could also be sent to a lorry park at Manston Airport, and the M26 could be be closed and used for queuing HGVs in the event of severe disruption. | Under plans for Operation Brock, hauliers could also be sent to a lorry park at Manston Airport, and the M26 could be be closed and used for queuing HGVs in the event of severe disruption. |
A Highways England spokesperson said: "We are keeping the deployment of Operation Brock continually under review and are ready to stand it down if it will not be needed. | |
"Any decision to deactivate Operation Brock will be taken jointly, and we are in constant contact with the government and our partners in Kent." | |
Highways England said the contraflow takes about 48 hours to both activate and deactivate. | |
Operation Brock was last put in place in March four days ahead of the first planned Brexit date, but was deactivated three weeks later. | Operation Brock was last put in place in March four days ahead of the first planned Brexit date, but was deactivated three weeks later. |