Why is the M20 closed?

A 23-mile coastbound stretch of the M20 is currently closed. Operation Brock was launched on Monday 21 March 2022, because of the ongoing delays to Channel crossings following the suspension of P&O Ferries sailings. It comes after the ferry operator sacked nearly 800 seafarers without notice last month.

What Junction on M20 is Maidstone?

Junctions

M20 motorway
mile (km)	Westbound exits (B carriageway)	Junction
35.4 (56.9)	Maidstone, Chatham A229	J6
36.8 (59.2) 37.2 (59.8)	Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Sheerness A249	J7
40.2 (64.7) 40.5 (65.1)	Maidstone (East) A20	J8

What does operation Brock stand for?

Operation Brock is the official name for traffic calming measures when there is cross-Channel disruption at either the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel. It uses a “contraflow” system on the London-bound carriageway of the M20 between just north of junction 8 (for Leeds) and Junction 9 (Ashford).

What happened on the M20?

A motorway closed after a pile-up in the early hours of this morning has now reopened, police said. Emergency services were called just after midnight to a collision involving four lorries on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20 near junction nine in Kent.

What time is the M20 closed this weekend?

Drivers advised to plan ahead if using M20 this weekend The closures are in both directions and will be from 8pm until 6am each night. All vehicles – other than Channel-bound freight going to Eurotunnel – will need to follow the fully-signed diversion route, via the A20.

What part of M20 is shut?

M20 remains closed M20 coastbound closed due to the motorway being used to hold lorries heading for the channel crossings between J8 (Leeds Castle / Maidstone Services) and J11 (Hythe / Westenhanger). The London bound side remains open to all traffic.

What junction of M20 is Dover?

Junction 13 The exit takes you to Folkestone via the A20 which continues onto Dover.

Is M20 closed at Maidstone?

The M20 contraflow system between junction 8 (Maidstone) and junction 9 (Ashford) in Kent has now fully reopened to all drivers.

Why are the lorries stuck in Dover?

More than 2,000 lorries have been stuck in a queue of more than 20 miles to get to the Port of Dover, due to disruption to ferry services and customs operations, hauliers said.

Is Operation Brock still in force?

Operation Brock to remain on M20 for an indefinite period as P&O Ferries disruption continues. There remains no sign of an end to Operation Brock on the M20 as capacity on cross-Channel ferries remains reduced.

Why was the M20 shut yesterday?

Is Operation Brock still in place?

Operation Brock is currently in place and its deployment is being reviewed on a weekly basis.

Is Junction 9 M20 open today?

M20 London-bound contraflow fully reopens to drivers The M20 contraflow system between junction 8 (Maidstone) and junction 9 (Ashford) in Kent has now fully reopened to all drivers.

Is M20 open to Dover?

Planning to take the M20? Operation Brock is currently operating in free flow for port bound HGV traffic, with the M20 contraflow open in both directions to all other traffic. Operation TAP, approaching the Port of Dover, has been in use periodically but is not delaying HGVs or other traffic.

Can cars use the M20?

Drivers of cars, coaches and non-HGV vehicles If you use the M20, between junctions 8 and 9 you’ll use the two-way contraflow system on the London-bound carriageway. A 50mph limit will be in place. Phase 2 & 3 – Use the M20.

Is the M20 open again?

M20 London bound contraflow open The M20 contraflow system between junction 8 (Ashford) and junction 9 (Maidstone) in Kent has partially reopened to all drivers. The carriageway is still operating a contraflow system under Operation Brock to help manage freight heading to the cross-channel ports.

Why are lorries queuing on M20?

Operation Brock, where lorries heading to Dover queue on one side of the M20, was put in place last week. It was brought in to deal with heavy congestion exacerbated by P&O Ferries routes being suspended.

Why are there so many lorries on the M20?

Operation Stack is a procedure that uses parts of the M20 to queue lorries travelling towards the continent, to avoid causing gridlock across Kent’s roads. It is used in emergency situations when crossings to the continent cannot happen, such as bad weather or industrial action.