Operation Brock begins today as Ashford MP Damian Green criticises decision

The contraflow system will be in place for the Easter holidays

Operation Brock
Author: Josh BaileyPublished 20th Mar 2024

Morning commuters should expect delays from today, with Operation Brock returning to Kent's roads.

The much debated contraflow system will once again come into force on the M20, covering the 13-miles between junctions eight (Maidstone) and nine (Ashford).

It is being put in place for the Easter holidays, with a high number of passengers expected through Kent.

Damian Green is the MP for Ashford and has criticised this decision.

He said: "They need to avoid getting into the situation where it is being brought in for every holiday period, it shouldn't be the action of first recourse.

"That's why I constantly urge the Kent Resilience Forum, who are in charge of deploying Operation Brock, that they should carefully react to events rather than over anticipate what might happen.

"There's no harm in planning, if you know what's going ahead. I think doing it just because you fear something, which as a result inconveniences thousands of people, isn't a good idea.

"I will be keeping a close eye on how much extra traffic there really is over the next few weeks."

Damian Green, MP for Ashford

As expected the people living in Kent, mostly in Maidstone and Ashford, are angry about the return of Operation Brock, which over the last few years, has imposed monumental delays on their journeys

It means local businesses are also harmed, with the delays limiting the work they can do.

Annette Buss, is the business development director at Kennedy's Accounting in Maidstone.

They have clients all across Kent and 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.

"For example if your a plumber, you can't do that virtually and most likely you will have to use the motorway network.

"This means you will take longer, not getting as much done that day, and you can't even charge more."

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.

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