Operation Brock: Maidstone and Ashford residents worry as contraflow system returns to M20
The traffic holding system will be put in place on Tuesday evening
Last updated 19th Mar 2024
Operation Brock will return on Wednesday, and those from around Kent in Maidstone and Ashford are worried.
This evening, parts of the M20 will be closed to put the traffic holding system in place ahead of the Easter holidays, with a high number of passengers expected through Kent.
It means The London-bound closure will be from junctions nine to eight and coastbound from junctions seven to nine overnight from 20:00 until 6:00 GMT on Wednesday.
Once the motorway re opens on Wednesday morning, the contraflow system will be in place, a set of words that strikes fear into the hearts of Kent residents.
One of those people is Annette Buss, the business development director at Kennedy's Accounting in Maidstone.
They have clients all across Kent and she explained how the system will impact local businesses in the area.
She said: "It will slow the business down between Ashford and Maidstone.
"Getting between places takes longer, getting to work in the morning takes longer. Whatever you do, whatever your in, if you use that piece of motorway for work, that's it now for the next few months.
"People may say, 'just work from home', but that's a myth, everything just can't happen online.
"If your a plumber, you can't do that virtually and most likely you will have to use the motorway network.
"This mean you will take longer, not getting as much done that day, and you can't even charge more."
Operation Brock covers the 13-miles between junctions eight (Maidstone) and nine (Ashford) on the M20.
It is brought in for the lorries heading to Dover, where one side of the carriageway is used for the queue and the other for a contraflow.
This the latest delay since Kent County Council leaders warned of the nightmarish three years prospect of Operation Brock.
With Cllr Neil Baker, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for roads, warning the new Entry-Exit System (EES) is going to be a “serious, serious mess”.
The EES isn't set to be introduced till October, with this expected Easter delay serving as another warning of what's to come.
For now, those travelling by Eurotunnel and via the Port of Dover are advised to plan their journeys, allow more time for their journeys be prepared for delays.