British government authorities say final preparations in the event of a no-deal Brexit are taking place as traffic management steps in Kent are increased.
Operation Brock will go live on 28 October to manage any traffic disruption as Britain prepares to leave the European Union on 31 October and help keep trade moving in and out of the UK.
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The government has worked with the Kent Resilience Forum to implement the scheme, which will manage any delays to Europe-bound freight while protecting local roads from disruption.
It will keep the M20 open in both directions for all other traffic, with the government insisting this will minimise any impact on local residents, businesses and public services.
The news comes as the Department for Transport launches an information campaign to ensure hauliers know what to expect if they are travelling to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel in a no-deal Brexit scenario.
“We want residents in Kent and hauliers travelling from across the EU to be reassured there are robust plans in place to deal with any disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit,” said Transport Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris.
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By GlobalData“We now need everyone to do their bit; whether you are travelling to see family, heading to work or transporting vital goods around the country, please check before you travel to ensure you know what to expect and have the right documents when heading to the border.”
Hauliers driving during Operation Brock and heading to Europe via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel will need to be on the Operation Brock routes and follow all diversions, instructions and speed restrictions rather than relying on satellite navigation systems.
They will also need to be ready to show that they have the right paperwork before reaching the border to avoid being turned back – or else risk facing fines and further delays.
New legislation will help keep them on main routes through Kent and away from local roads.
Traffic officers in Kent will have unspecified “new and enhanced powers” from 31 October to help ensure hauliers are complying with the Operation Brock system.
Final works in the coming weeks will ensure the holding areas are ready to be activated on October 28 as Operation Brock goes live.
“Any move which keeps traffic flowing to and from the coast and through and around Kent, is to be welcomed in order to keep Britain trading,” added Freight Transport Association policy manager for South East England, Heidi Skinner.
“Our members have been asking for clarity on the arrangements for some time, so this news will help them to prepare for a potential no-deal Brexit and any resulting traffic disruption which may occur.”
Once Operation Brock goes live on Monday 28 October, lorries heading for mainland Europe will need to use the coast-bound carriageway of the M20 between junctions 8 and 9, with a 30mph speed limit in place.
All other traffic will run on the London-bound carriageway between these junctions, with two lanes in each direction operating at 50mph.
In addition, Highways England is fast-tracking work to ensure key slip roads at a new junction being created on the M20 near Ashford will be open to traffic by the 31 October.
Whether or not the UK secures a deal with the EU is still not clear, but British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson insists London will quit the organisation by 31 October.
