KENT — National Highways has confirmed that a significant stretch of the M20 will be closed overnight this Wednesday to facilitate the installation of the Operation Brock contraflow system.
The move comes at the request of the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum as the region prepares for a substantial influx of travellers during the upcoming Easter holiday period. Starting at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, the motorway will be inaccessible between Maidstone and Ashford. Specifically, the London-bound carriageway will close from Junction 9 to Junction 8, while coastbound traffic will be blocked from Junction 7 through to Junction 9. The road is expected to remain closed until 6:00 AM on Thursday, April 2, a window selected by officials to minimize the impact on daily commuters.
The 13-mile contraflow system is a critical component of Kent’s resilience strategy, designed to maintain traffic flow and manage potential congestion at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. By deploying the barrier now, authorities hope to prevent the gridlock often associated with peak seasonal travel and cross-Channel service disruptions.
Motorists are urged to pay close attention to roadside signage rather than relying on satellite navigation systems, as fully signed diversion routes will be in effect throughout the night. Once the motorway reopens on Thursday morning with the contraflow active, new traffic patterns will be in place. All heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) bound for the continent must join Operation Brock at Junction 8. Meanwhile, all other coastbound travellers, including local freight and passenger vehicles, will be directed to cross over into the contraflow lanes on the London-bound side of the motorway.