Operation Brock returns today as Maidstone and Ashford residents worry

The traffic holding system was put in place over night.

Traffic passes through Operation Brock on the M20 in Ashford, Kent.
Author: Josh BaileyPublished 23rd May 2024

Operation Brock returns this morning, and those from around Kent are worried.

The controversial contraflow system is back in place between Maidstone and Ashford.

It will be deployed on a 13-mile section of the motorway between Junction 8 and Junction 9 on the M20.

It's ahead of a busy bank holiday weekend, with high volumes of traffic expected.

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 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.

All HGVs heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel must follow the signs and those who do not complying with signage and try to use another route risk a fine of £300.

They will also be sent to the back of the queue.

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