Operation Brock to be rolled out on M20 again

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

A traffic-holding system for lorries queueing to cross the English Channel is due to be put in place again in the run up to Christmas.

The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) has agreed to deploy Operation Brock on the M20 between junctions eight (Maidstone) and nine (Ashford) from 15 to 22 December.

Operation Brock sees lorries heading to Dover queue on one side of the M20, with the other carriageway operating as a contraflow, with traffic travelling in both directions.

Simon Jones, KMRF's Operation Brock strategic lead, said: "The indications from Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover are that we will see some really busy days in the run up to Christmas and we need to act on that intelligence."

The installation of Operation Brock means freight heading to mainland Europe are also legally required to follow the signed HGV routes to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, using the M20 and A20, Kent County Council said.

After a successful trial in the summer, a permit scheme will once again be put in place if lorries start to be filtered down to the port from the M20.

The council says it significantly reduces the number of drivers in trucks attempting to jump the queue and avoid the restrictions.

The Port of Dover and Eurotunnel are forecasting their peak tourist traveller numbers on 19, 20 and 21 December, according to the council.