Details of work to deactivate the moveable concrete barrier on the M20 have been confirmed today by Highways England.
The removal of the barrier, which will start on Saturday (April 24) and take two days will see the motorway finally return to three full width lanes at the national speed limit in both directions.
The barrier has been in place on a 15-mile section of the M20 between junctions 8 (for Maidstone) and 9 (at Ashford) since late December 2020, reflecting the risk of potential traffic disruption during this period due to Brexit.
Highways England has agreed with the Kent Resilience Forum and the Department for Transport it is the right time to deactivate the contraflow.
The work to remove the contraflow will be completed under a full closure of the M20 on the coastbound from junctions 7 to 9 and on the London bound from junctions 9 to 8 from 8pm on April 24 until 8am on April 25.
Work will resume overnight on the London bound carriageway from 8pm on April 25 until 6am on April 26 to remove the barrier.
This work, says Highways England, has been carefully planned over the weekend to reduce disruption.
Once removed, the moveable barrier will sit along the M20 should the contraflow could be re-activated in future for any future cross-channel disruption.
Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place on the A20 to help road users reach their destination.
The diversion routes are as follows:
Junction 9 to 8 Londonbound diversion route: Traffic will be diverted from junction 9 towards the A20 Maidstone, then re-join the M20 motorway at junction 8. Vehicles over 4.7m height need to follow a different route which is to turn around at junction 9 to re-join the M20 towards Dover, then the A20 heading for Dover, then follow the A2 towards Canterbury, then the M2 London, exiting the motorway at junction 7 onto the A249 towards Maidstone to re-join the M20 motorway at junction 7. Junction 8 can be accessed via the A20 for vehicles under 4.7m.
Junction 7 to 9 coastbound diversion route: Traffic will be diverted from junction 7, heading towards the A249 Canterbury, then follow the M2 Dover, then A2 Dover, then the A20 London which re-joins the M20
Update from Department of Transport
From Saturday 24th April, work will begin to remove the M20 moveable barrier and return the M20 to normal operation. Traffic management measures will be reinstated in the event of serious disruption to cross channel traffic.
DfT will inform you as soon as any changes come into effect.
Article Source: Full closure of M20 planned to remove Operation Brock barrier between Maidstone and Ashford - Kent Live
Comments