Drivers have been warned of closures on a major motorway this week to allow new traffic measures to be deployed across the southeast.
The M20 will be closed tomorrow from 8pm between Maidstone and Ashford overnight to allow National Highways to put the Operation Brock contraflow in place.
The traffic measure will be in place along the 13-mile section of the M20 between Junctions 8 (Maidstone) and 9 (Ashford) to help alleviate pressure at Dover ahead of the summer holidays.
The need for new measures follows research that during the summer period, the Port of Dover can process as many as two million passengers, 483,000 cars, 9,000 coaches and 237,000 freight vehicles, all of which will be travelling through Kent.
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The M20 will temporarily be closed to allow for Operation Brock to be deployed near Dover
Operation Brock is a system designed to keep traffic on the M20 and other roads in Kent moving when there is disruption to travel across the English Channel.
Before the measures came into place, National Highways warned that the M20 would be closed London-bound from Junction 9 to 8 as well as coastbound between Junctions 7 to 9 from 8pm on Wednesday, July 16, until 6am on Thursday, July 17.
When Operation Brock is in force, HGVs must use the signed routes only, with drivers facing a £300 fine if they ignore the measure.
To help drivers avoid delays while the system is being installed, a fully diverted route will be put in place during the overnight closures.
Drivers should also follow the diversion signs on their sat nav instructions, which would be out of date, National Highways explained.
When the M20 reopens on Thursday morning, the Brock contraflow will be active, with drivers urged to follow all signs to avoid penalties.
Once the barrier is in place, HGVs heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel will need to follow the signs to join Operation Brock at M20 Junction 8.
For other coast-bound traffic, which includes local freight and car drivers heading abroad, drivers should follow the signs and crossover to enter the contraflow on the M20 London-bound carriageway.
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National Highways stated: “When there’s any sort of disruption in the channel, HGV traffic on the M20 heading for the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel has nowhere to go.
“‘Brock’ is a contraflow that can be set up overnight. It separates traffic into different lanes across both carriageways and keeps the M20 and other local roads open and moving.”
Kent County Council explained that National Highways will put Operation Brock in place if traffic begins to build up around the East of the county.
If this happens, lorry drivers will be required to check conditions before setting out, follow signs and signals on the roads, and follow the queuing instructions.
The need for the measure also comes after reports found that in the past, residents in Dover and Folkestone were most affected by severe traffic disruption caused by cross-channel traffic.
The council added: “To help protect local communities from disruption and help keep Kent roads clear, lorry drivers en route to Channel ports are urged to take a rest before crossing into the county.
“Where possible, statutory breaks in Kent should be taken in dedicated truck stops where there are facilities such as cafes, toilets and showers.”
National Highways has also urged drivers to follow the acronym TRIP, which helps prepare for journeys and stands for Top-up, Rest, Inspect and Prepare.