The traffic scheme in place to manage the flow of freight crossing the Channel via Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover has been in place since P&O ferry services were suspended more than two months ago.

The relocation will enable National Highways to resume critical safety work to permanently relocate the barrier that forms the coastbound contraflow at the heart of Operation Brock, between Junctions 8 (Maidstone) and 9 (Ashford), from the hard shoulder to the central reservation.

“KRF partners promised our residents, businesses, and hauliers we would keep the use of Brock under constant review and remove it as soon as it was practical to do so,” said Simon Jones, Kent Resilience Forum Strategic Lead. We can safely deliver on our pledge now that the half-term and Jubilee holidays are over.

Our country serves as a major gateway to Europe, and cross-Channel traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels.” We will continue to collaborate and use traffic management, our current best available option, to do everything possible to keep Kent moving, businesses open, and communities safe from the worst effects of disruption. As always, I appreciate everyone’s continued patience.”

The barrier relocation work, which includes an extensive drainage upgrade for the central reservation along the 13-mile stretch between Junctions 8 and 9, is expected to last until early next year. The current 50mph speed limit on both carriageways must also be maintained as part of the project.

Highways England Regional Director Nicola Bell stated: “Storing the moveable barrier on the London-bound hard shoulder of the M20 was only a temporary solution. Moving the structure to the central reservation will restore the original width of the hard shoulder between Ashford and Maidstone.