FROM HIGHWAYS AGENCY:

Upcoming works on the M20 for the Moveable Barrier Solution project

(part of Operation BROCK)
As an organisation involved with our motorway network, I am writing to let you know
of the essential works which are due to start on the M20 Motorway between
Junctions 8 and 9 from Tuesday 1st September at 9pm. We require overnight
closures of the M20 Londonbound to install 7.5mile of temporary steel barriers in
order to protect our workforce while they deliver a range of works concurrently to
minimise the works programme, and impact to road users and yourselves our
stakeholders.
The Department for Transport announced in February 2020 that a new Moveable
Barrier System will be deployed on the M20 when required as part of a contraflow to
permit the motorway and junctions to remain open during Channel ports disruption.
The system will allow port-bound lorries to be held on the motorway while all other
traffic continues to have access to the motorway in both directions. Unlike the
previous solution we implemented in 2019, this new Moveable Barrier System allows
the M20 to be returned to normal conditions at 70mph when not required within
several hours instead of weeks.
Our works consists of the installation of temporary barriers, pavement repairs, gully
and manhole ironworks repairs, roadmarkings and studs works, and the installation
of the new Moveable Barriers at the back of the M20 London bound hard-shoulder.
Where full closures of the M20 are required, these will be overnight during the hours
of 9pm to 6am. The motorway will remain open during the day, operating with narrow
lanes at 50mph past the 7.5mile stretch where temporary barriers are installed and
works are in progress. There are no full closures during Saturday nights. We have
also planned our works to avoid overnight closures during the October half term from
the Friday 23rd to 2nd November.
We also have works on the M20 Coastbound, however these can be delivered with
overnight lane closures only and will require a speed reduction to 60mph past the
works areas.