Operation Brock deployed 'at last possible moment'

Operation Brock sees lorries heading to Dover queue on one side of the M20

A traffic system for lorries queueing to cross the English Channel will be put in place as close to the busy period as possible to minimise disruption for residents, organisers have said.

The Operation Brock contraflow barrier will be rolled out on the M20 between junctions eight and nine overnight on 16 July, coming into force the following day.

The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) said the system minimises congestion and that its work to find a permanent solution is ongoing.

But residents have said it blocks "key routes" and is too expensive, costing between £100,000 and £250,000 each time.

The KMRF said data from the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel showed high passenger numbers were expected every weekend in July, but that it would review if the barrier needs to stay in place in the first week of August.

Simon Jones, the KMRF's strategic lead for border disruption, said: "The decision to put the barrier out is made to keep disruption for Kent residents to a minimum and always led by the number of passenger and freight crossings expected at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.

"Our work with central government to identify a better traffic management solution will continue, alongside our around-the-clock traffic monitoring so everyone can get to where they need to be safely this summer."

A BBC Freedom of Information request to National Highways revealed Operation Brock cost more than £2.7m to roll out across 10 occasions between 2019, when it was first introduced, and 2024.

Meanwhile, Robin Burkhardt, who used to run an antique shop on Snargate Street, Dover, said in May that heavy port traffic "destroyed his business".

"We had to close up last December because everyone ended up staying away from the area - it caused the town to suffer," he said.

And Christine Mitchell, who lives along the M20, said when Operation Brock was in place there was disruption on the roads and lorries were "thundering through" residential areas.

She said: "I think it's an absolutely disgusting waste of money and quite honestly a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

The KMRF said that until the government finds a permanent solution, Operation Brock is the only option available.