Tell about your experiences of Operation Brock

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  Disruption

  by Paul Deacon , about 4 years ago
  We don’t go any where near Hythe Dover or East Kent because of the disruption, obviously affects our ability to visit that part of Kent.

  We don’t go any where near Hythe Dover or East Kent because of the disruption, obviously affects our ability to visit that part of Kent.
• Share Huge Lorries using small roads not designed for them, Noise and Air pollution. Large increase in litter & Rubbish. on Facebook Share Huge Lorries using small roads not designed for them, Noise and Air pollution. Large increase in litter & Rubbish. on X (formerly Twitter) Share Huge Lorries using small roads not designed for them, Noise and Air pollution. Large increase in litter & Rubbish. on Linkedin Email Huge Lorries using small roads not designed for them, Noise and Air pollution. Large increase in litter & Rubbish. link

  Huge Lorries using small roads not designed for them, Noise and Air pollution. Large increase in litter & Rubbish.

  by Roger, about 4 years ago
  Hello. The closure of the M20 section for Operation Brock has been done purely as a consideration on where to park lorries and divert them. No consideration is given to residents in the surrounding areas. We suffer high volumes of large lories, sometimes lost, blocking and filling roads never intended for them. The noise levels are increased 24 hours a day and with it comes the air pollution. Even when stationary many of these lorries are running their engines and air conditioning units to preserve perishable cargoes. This polution is added to the air. The amounts of rubbish thrown onto... Continue reading

  Hello. The closure of the M20 section for Operation Brock has been done purely as a consideration on where to park lorries and divert them. No consideration is given to residents in the surrounding areas. We suffer high volumes of large lories, sometimes lost, blocking and filling roads never intended for them. The noise levels are increased 24 hours a day and with it comes the air pollution. Even when stationary many of these lorries are running their engines and air conditioning units to preserve perishable cargoes. This polution is added to the air. The amounts of rubbish thrown onto verges, payments and even the road carriageway drastically increases. There is no adequate provision fo toilet for the drivers therefore they deposit human waste into verges causing health risks. What few litter bins there are are quickly overfilled and seem to be never emptied leading to fly tipping around them,.

  The roads themselves are worn out more quickly. Gullies are broken and pushed out of position, kerbs broken and footpaths crushed by the weight of the traffic. This causes flooding and further damage in the winter. All this has to be repaired at cost to the Kent Council Tax Payer. The lorries contribute nothing to the damage they cause.

  Normal traffic is hindered and delayed affecting commercial and domestic travel.

  It's blindingly apparent that we need lorry parks for these vehicles and that the lorries are compulsorily made to park in them. Thes need proper facilities for the drivers to access toilets, washing facilities, food & drink and a place to take their compulsory breaks. Compulsory charges should be made for this by collection on entry to the country for foreign lorries and a charge for British lorries on accessing the parking.

  Possible locations include Detling commercial park, areas opposite the existing services at Folkestone on the M20 and possibly the Wrotham junction where the M26 and M20 meet. Consideration could be given to provision in the Ebbsfleet area as it being developed.

  
  

  Overall, we are breathing polluted air, suffering continuous traffic noise, damage to our infrastructure, increased journey and therefore fuel costs.
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  A20 Life!

  by J Eeles, about 4 years ago
  Living in Harrietsham we are on the A20 and know immediately when brock is on as the traffic starts to slowly build in long queues past our door with cars avoiding the M20.

  
  

  One of our children is at secondary school and this impacts directly on her travel.

  My husband works in construction and visits many sites from where we live and he is often caught in traffic chaos, as are his delivery vans to the site. This has a direct economical impact.

  I have clients in Maidstone and further down the coast and meeting them in person isn't an... Continue reading

  Living in Harrietsham we are on the A20 and know immediately when brock is on as the traffic starts to slowly build in long queues past our door with cars avoiding the M20.

  
  

  One of our children is at secondary school and this impacts directly on her travel.

  My husband works in construction and visits many sites from where we live and he is often caught in traffic chaos, as are his delivery vans to the site. This has a direct economical impact.

  I have clients in Maidstone and further down the coast and meeting them in person isn't an option when Brock is on which doesn't help foster working relationships and work going forward. I have suppliers travelling to events for clients and if Brock is on, this can be prohibitive.

  As for leisure time - if brock is on, we stay put! It is often difficult to go out or visit family and friends, so we don't bother.

  What will happen to the residents along the A20 when Brock is in force and the new village in Lenham is built?
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  Traffic chaos

  by Ann, about 4 years ago
  As soon as Brock was in place the area around Downswood became one huge traffic jam. This coincided with school holidays and more traffic heading for Dover and beach resorts. Drivers avoiding the M20 blocked the Ashford Road (A20) in both directions. Willington St was at a standstill for much of the day and consequently local roads became congested. Added to this we have had a catalogue of road closures in this area over the last few weeks for various reasons. I haven't attempted to use the M20 since Brock has been in place so my usual visits have been... Continue reading

  As soon as Brock was in place the area around Downswood became one huge traffic jam. This coincided with school holidays and more traffic heading for Dover and beach resorts. Drivers avoiding the M20 blocked the Ashford Road (A20) in both directions. Willington St was at a standstill for much of the day and consequently local roads became congested. Added to this we have had a catalogue of road closures in this area over the last few weeks for various reasons. I haven't attempted to use the M20 since Brock has been in place so my usual visits have been curtailed. Luckily I am retirut I can't imagine how frustrating and costly these delays have been to working people.
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  Maidstone is not the solution

  by James L, about 4 years ago
  Maidstone is 42 miles from Dover. It is absolutely crazy that our town gets gridlocked to ease the traffic at the ports. We already have growing congestion issues on our roads because of all the new apartments and flats being built, so a different, more effective solution needs to be found as soon as possible.

  Sitting in self created traffic jams causing frustration and anger is only going to cause more problems.

  Maidstone is 42 miles from Dover. It is absolutely crazy that our town gets gridlocked to ease the traffic at the ports. We already have growing congestion issues on our roads because of all the new apartments and flats being built, so a different, more effective solution needs to be found as soon as possible.

  Sitting in self created traffic jams causing frustration and anger is only going to cause more problems.
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  Blood bike delays

  by A. Biker , about 4 years ago
  Volunteers for SERV Kent (Blood Bikes) regularly run urgent medical supplies between the Medway towns and hospitals in East Kent, specifically Ashford and Canterbury. With the M20 restricted to 50mph and in parts 30mph, it increases travel time, especially when it's backed-up. It's often quicker to take the A20 to Ashford from Maidstone and the same on the return. The M2 isn't as bad when Brock is on although I have also been delayed on that route in the past, even on a motorcycle. Many SERV volunteers use cars and the same journey by car takes much longer as a... Continue reading

  Volunteers for SERV Kent (Blood Bikes) regularly run urgent medical supplies between the Medway towns and hospitals in East Kent, specifically Ashford and Canterbury. With the M20 restricted to 50mph and in parts 30mph, it increases travel time, especially when it's backed-up. It's often quicker to take the A20 to Ashford from Maidstone and the same on the return. The M2 isn't as bad when Brock is on although I have also been delayed on that route in the past, even on a motorcycle. Many SERV volunteers use cars and the same journey by car takes much longer as a result. SERV currently have a dearth of volunteers and I'm sure traffic volumes and delays in Kent contribute to that. They certainly do for me. I have been considering moving away from Kent for some time, the main reason being the amount of congestion, which in recent years has made the county a much less appealing place to live.
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  Our Lives Are Put On Hold For Brock

  by JanE, about 4 years ago

  When operation brock is implemented we simply have to put all our plans on hold. Getting from Barming to anywhere the other side of Maidstone has to be put off even though it may be an important trip. No taking grandchildren to the coast. Shopping becomes a nightmare as all the A roads in and around Maidstone get completely jammed. Anyone who uses the M20 is affected.

  
  

  
  

  When operation brock is implemented we simply have to put all our plans on hold. Getting from Barming to anywhere the other side of Maidstone has to be put off even though it may be an important trip. No taking grandchildren to the coast. Shopping becomes a nightmare as all the A roads in and around Maidstone get completely jammed. Anyone who uses the M20 is affected.

  
  

  
  
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  Frustrating.

  by Pat.D, about 4 years ago
  As a regular user of the M20, I find it infuriating that I and thousands of other M20 users are having to put up with a situation that is not fit for purpose. The Government had seen this coming long ago and did nothing but move the problem from one place to another the M20 is a motorway, not a lorry park. A permanent solution needs to be arrived at. Having hundreds of HGV parked on a Major Motorway delaying thousands of drivers is not one of them neither is moving the traffic onto the A20 causing even bigger problems... Continue reading

  As a regular user of the M20, I find it infuriating that I and thousands of other M20 users are having to put up with a situation that is not fit for purpose. The Government had seen this coming long ago and did nothing but move the problem from one place to another the M20 is a motorway, not a lorry park. A permanent solution needs to be arrived at. Having hundreds of HGV parked on a Major Motorway delaying thousands of drivers is not one of them neither is moving the traffic onto the A20 causing even bigger problems with drivers looking for short cuts through narrow lanes that impact on locals. I think it would be better living in London sometimes.
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  No visits to the White Cliffs

  by Donny, about 4 years ago
  Most years I enjoy frequent visits to the White Cliffs between Deal and Dover for walking and leisure. Have not attempted any in the last 6 months due to Operation Brock.

  Most years I enjoy frequent visits to the White Cliffs between Deal and Dover for walking and leisure. Have not attempted any in the last 6 months due to Operation Brock.
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  M20 Chaos

  by Dodger, about 4 years ago
  Simple solution is a car park for 3000 lorries with toilet & refreshment facilities. Problem solved!!

  We are also at a loss as to why they frequently close the Roundhill Tunnel which adds to the congestion significantly.

  Simple solution is a car park for 3000 lorries with toilet & refreshment facilities. Problem solved!!

  We are also at a loss as to why they frequently close the Roundhill Tunnel which adds to the congestion significantly.