News M20 closure to assist Operation Stack capacity

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is asking residents to avoid using the A20 or M20 this evening as the motorway is due to be closed London (west) bound between Junctions 8 (Leeds Castle) and 9 (Ashford) to increase capacity for lorries to wait before crossing the Channel.

Despite the implementation of Covid-19 testing for drivers and the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel now starting to move HGVs from the roads of Kent the queues on the M20 have continued to grow and the provision for parking the vehicles – Operations Stack and Brock is reaching capacity. Additional measures need to be taken to manage the situation.

The diversion for non-commercial vehicles will mean drivers will have to use the A20 between Hollingbourne and Ashford which will impact on the local roads and could result in delays.

MBC Chief Executive Alison Broom said:

“We realise that this has been a very difficult time for our residents and the issues on the M20 have impacted our communities, but we are asking them to not make journeys unless it is absolutely necessary tonight.

“The A20 and M20 are two very busy and vital routes through the borough of Maidstone so it is imperative that we get the motorway clear as quickly as possible whilst at the same time supporting the lorry drivers who have been waiting there to be able to travel through the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel.

“Please think about if you really need to make that journey tonight as if you don’t you will be avoiding what could be potentially long delays and helping to keep our roads clear for essential traffic including the emergency services.”

Diversionary routes will be put in place. All agencies are working as hard and as quickly as possible to enable freight and passenger journeys to be completed as soon as is practicable and for these temporary traffic management arrangements to be reversed so that only Operation Brock remains in preparation for EU Transition.

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