Kentish Express Ashford & District
Operation Brock powers to be made permanent
Operation Brock is set to become a permanent option on the M20 instead of being removed for good this autumn.
The Department for Transport confirmed last week that its ‘sunset clauses’ are due to be ditched, meaning the traffic management powers that were expected to finish in October will be available indefinitely.
If voted through in parliament next month, it will allow the dreaded contraflow to be installed between Junctions 8 and 9 when there is disruption on the port-bound corridor.
But a DfT spokesman stressed: “Operation Brock measures will remain temporary and will only be used when there is a significant risk of delays.
“It was originally created to deal with disruption caused by EU exit and in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Removing the sunset clauses from Operation Brock will mean the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) is better prepared to respond to any type of traffic disruption in the area, not solely
related to EU Exit, including strikes and severe weather.”
When in operation, the contraflow features narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit between Ashford and Maidstone.
It was last introduced for two weeks on July 18 in anticipation of increased international travel as a result of Covid restrictions lifting.
Its initial life was set to end in
December 2020 but was extended to allow for feared traffic chaos after the UK completely left the European Union, following the transition period.
Recently it was also needed when roads to Dover ended up gridlocked just before Christmas when the French closed their borders to stop a new strain of coronavirus getting into the country.
The DfT explained that although Operation Brock may temporarily affect Kent roads with reduced speeds, the measures minimise disruption to lorry drivers going abroad as well as other road users.
See letters on pages 20 and 21 What do you think? Email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk