How does Operation Brock impact you?

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Consultation has concluded.

View of M20 during Operation Brock

Cllr David Burton, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council:

“The implementation of Operation Brock causes significant disruption to residents and businesses of Maidstone. We know that it is needed as part of the current plan to manage the volume of both freight and tourist traffic using the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel when queues build up. This can occur for a variety of reasons. The number of occasions when Op Brock is in place and the impact for our community, businesses and people travelling to and around the borough are unacceptable. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

We need your help to build the case for change. So we want to hear from you about the impacts that you experience when Op Brock is in place – for your personal lives and working lives – so that we can build a picture of environmental, social and economic impacts.

Operation Brock is not a long term or permanent solution for the border control issues. We cannot tolerate this becoming the “new normal”.

So we also need to look at alterative solutions. We would also like to hear your views on this.

My personal view is that there needs to be sufficient off road lorry parking in the vicinity of the ports and this would help manage some occasions with high freight and tourist traffic queues. I know that others suggest a scheme to hold vehicles further up country and I will not rule this out although there would be operational challenges to how this would work and be enforced. Technology has enabled us to work productively throughout the pandemic in many walks of life – technology could also offers solutions to these challenges.

We want Maidstone to be a Borough that works for everyone, with residents and local businesses at the heart of our decision making and would really like to hear from you about how this disruption has impacted on your lives and ideas for alternative ways forward, so that I can take this evidence to Government to demand action to prevent this from going on forever."

How can you get involved?

1. Experiences - Share your experiences of Operation Brock. We want to know more how Operation Brock impacts on you, your life, your local area or your business. Tell us about your experiences (below). We encourage you to comment on the posts left by other residents whose experiences you may share.

2. Ideas - Tell us your ideas about what can be done to improve the effect Operation Brock has on you, your life, your local area or your business when it is in operation.

3. Impact - Take part in our quick poll (on the right) to tell us what level of impact Operation Brock has had on you.

4. Location - Use our map to show us where in the borough you've experienced issues due to Operation Brock.

What Next

We will be gathering this information up until 2 October 2022, this timeframe may be extended based on the response or to gather further information and feedback.

Cllr David Burton, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council:

“The implementation of Operation Brock causes significant disruption to residents and businesses of Maidstone. We know that it is needed as part of the current plan to manage the volume of both freight and tourist traffic using the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel when queues build up. This can occur for a variety of reasons. The number of occasions when Op Brock is in place and the impact for our community, businesses and people travelling to and around the borough are unacceptable. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

We need your help to build the case for change. So we want to hear from you about the impacts that you experience when Op Brock is in place – for your personal lives and working lives – so that we can build a picture of environmental, social and economic impacts.

Operation Brock is not a long term or permanent solution for the border control issues. We cannot tolerate this becoming the “new normal”.

So we also need to look at alterative solutions. We would also like to hear your views on this.

My personal view is that there needs to be sufficient off road lorry parking in the vicinity of the ports and this would help manage some occasions with high freight and tourist traffic queues. I know that others suggest a scheme to hold vehicles further up country and I will not rule this out although there would be operational challenges to how this would work and be enforced. Technology has enabled us to work productively throughout the pandemic in many walks of life – technology could also offers solutions to these challenges.

We want Maidstone to be a Borough that works for everyone, with residents and local businesses at the heart of our decision making and would really like to hear from you about how this disruption has impacted on your lives and ideas for alternative ways forward, so that I can take this evidence to Government to demand action to prevent this from going on forever."

How can you get involved?

1. Experiences - Share your experiences of Operation Brock. We want to know more how Operation Brock impacts on you, your life, your local area or your business. Tell us about your experiences (below). We encourage you to comment on the posts left by other residents whose experiences you may share.

2. Ideas - Tell us your ideas about what can be done to improve the effect Operation Brock has on you, your life, your local area or your business when it is in operation.

3. Impact - Take part in our quick poll (on the right) to tell us what level of impact Operation Brock has had on you.

4. Location - Use our map to show us where in the borough you've experienced issues due to Operation Brock.

What Next

We will be gathering this information up until 2 October 2022, this timeframe may be extended based on the response or to gather further information and feedback.

Tell about your experiences of Operation Brock

We want to hear about your experiences of Operation Brock and understand the impact it has on your life. 

Share your story

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Now you all know how Dover Residents feel on Facebook Share Now you all know how Dover Residents feel on Twitter Share Now you all know how Dover Residents feel on Linkedin Email Now you all know how Dover Residents feel link

    Now you all know how Dover Residents feel

    by Juggernaut Janet, over 3 years ago
    Traffic problems have been ignored by every government since the 1960s. In those days Dover town centre was often at standstill from the Docks back to Whitfield. No by pass or Jubilee way then. Dover residents have been hung out to dry . No A and E Hospital .If we leave town we don't know if we can get back by car now. We endured it for years thinking that locals had jobs on the Ferries.No longer the case. We needed a ring road 50 years ago which could keep local traffic clear and be used for storage without disrupting... Continue reading
    Traffic problems have been ignored by every government since the 1960s. In those days Dover town centre was often at standstill from the Docks back to Whitfield. No by pass or Jubilee way then. Dover residents have been hung out to dry . No A and E Hospital .If we leave town we don't know if we can get back by car now. We endured it for years thinking that locals had jobs on the Ferries.No longer the case. We needed a ring road 50 years ago which could keep local traffic clear and be used for storage without disrupting half of Kent but I am not sure if Jaynes Traffic law which did state The Highway is a privalege and not a right and must not be used for storage ...is in fact still law which would make HGV storage on motorways illegal.
  • Share Lenham village on Facebook Share Lenham village on Twitter Share Lenham village on Linkedin Email Lenham village link

    Lenham village

    by Sue, over 3 years ago
    At its worst trying to get out of the village is impossible. Luckily I am retired but for people trying to go to work it must be awful. Not only is the A20 blocked but all the surrounding country lanes.
    At its worst trying to get out of the village is impossible. Luckily I am retired but for people trying to go to work it must be awful. Not only is the A20 blocked but all the surrounding country lanes.
  • Share Unacceptable chaos on Facebook Share Unacceptable chaos on Twitter Share Unacceptable chaos on Linkedin Email Unacceptable chaos link

    Unacceptable chaos

    by Maidstone resident (but not for much longer ! ), over 3 years ago
    Maidstone and the surrounding villages have become hostages to fortune, Op Brock and its wide-reaching effects make life difficult, certainly have a negative impact on anyone wishing to travel by car to local amenities and attractions. Moreover, the lack of facilities for the thousands of HGV drivers imprisoned in the interminable queues is a major issue. We are so dependent on all manner of imported goods, surely these drivers should be treated with courtesy and given proper facilities ! I avoid using the M20 at all costs.
    Maidstone and the surrounding villages have become hostages to fortune, Op Brock and its wide-reaching effects make life difficult, certainly have a negative impact on anyone wishing to travel by car to local amenities and attractions. Moreover, the lack of facilities for the thousands of HGV drivers imprisoned in the interminable queues is a major issue. We are so dependent on all manner of imported goods, surely these drivers should be treated with courtesy and given proper facilities ! I avoid using the M20 at all costs.
  • Share Andrew Drury on Facebook Share Andrew Drury on Twitter Share Andrew Drury on Linkedin Email Andrew Drury link

    Andrew Drury

    by Juniper boy, over 3 years ago
    It's appaling that Kent has the problems that other near port towns in the UK appear to avoid.

    The M20 MOTORWAY was built to cater for the continuing increase in traffic along the A20, now it seems that we are taking steps backwards... surely the M20 was never built to be a car (Lorry) park?

    As a resident of Maidstone and an owner of a second home in France, I have missed on several occasions my ferry crossing as a result of traffic build-up on the two-lane alternative to the coast-bound highway, accidents in this section have only exasperated the... Continue reading

    It's appaling that Kent has the problems that other near port towns in the UK appear to avoid.

    The M20 MOTORWAY was built to cater for the continuing increase in traffic along the A20, now it seems that we are taking steps backwards... surely the M20 was never built to be a car (Lorry) park?

    As a resident of Maidstone and an owner of a second home in France, I have missed on several occasions my ferry crossing as a result of traffic build-up on the two-lane alternative to the coast-bound highway, accidents in this section have only exasperated the impact.

    Having to go several miles in the wrong direction to join the motorway due to the closure of slip roads has a significant cost associated with it as does the increased environmental impact.

    More often than not, the coastal bound motorway is empty or with just a single lorry trundling along it while the opposite lanes are crammed with vehicles, many of which are lorries, thereby reducing the separation between cars and lorries.

    The whole installation smacks of permanence and a knee-jerk reaction to the whims of French activities, rules and petulance... I don't hear that the same problem exists in France.. there has to be a better way

    Regards

    Andrew



  • Share Work day lengthened on Facebook Share Work day lengthened on Twitter Share Work day lengthened on Linkedin Email Work day lengthened link

    Work day lengthened

    by jayGills74, over 3 years ago
    I live in Snodland and work in Ashford doing a safety critical role as a signaller for Network Rail in 12 hour shift patterns. What should be an easy drive to/from work via the M20 in around 35 mins max is now a 1 hour journey either side of shifts. I refuse to use the M20 between jcts 8 and 9 as its Russian roulette of getting stuck in either a breakdown or crash. Therefore my route is via the A20 between Leeds Castle and Ashford...but a lot of people now choose this route so it can be heavily congested... Continue reading
    I live in Snodland and work in Ashford doing a safety critical role as a signaller for Network Rail in 12 hour shift patterns. What should be an easy drive to/from work via the M20 in around 35 mins max is now a 1 hour journey either side of shifts. I refuse to use the M20 between jcts 8 and 9 as its Russian roulette of getting stuck in either a breakdown or crash. Therefore my route is via the A20 between Leeds Castle and Ashford...but a lot of people now choose this route so it can be heavily congested. I also love to visit places like Dymchurch from Snodland but operation brock keeps me away from heading this way due to operation brock
  • Share Dont head east while the Big Bad Brock is about on Facebook Share Dont head east while the Big Bad Brock is about on Twitter Share Dont head east while the Big Bad Brock is about on Linkedin Email Dont head east while the Big Bad Brock is about link

    Dont head east while the Big Bad Brock is about

    by bdc, over 3 years ago

    The impact is quite simple. Brock increases the traffic load on other roads to the east of Maidstone. As soon as Brock is implemented the M20/A20 is out of bounds as far as I am concerned

    This is yet another instance of our national failing to build an infrastructure suitable for the commercial and social demands within the country. 10 million more people in the country demanding more cars and more imports yet the transport infrastructure remains unchanged.

    The impact is quite simple. Brock increases the traffic load on other roads to the east of Maidstone. As soon as Brock is implemented the M20/A20 is out of bounds as far as I am concerned

    This is yet another instance of our national failing to build an infrastructure suitable for the commercial and social demands within the country. 10 million more people in the country demanding more cars and more imports yet the transport infrastructure remains unchanged.

  • Share Missed Hospital appointment on Facebook Share Missed Hospital appointment on Twitter Share Missed Hospital appointment on Linkedin Email Missed Hospital appointment link

    Missed Hospital appointment

    by SA, over 3 years ago
    Needed to get to Ashford Hospital but M20 was closed. Left early, but not early enough, so turned back at Harrietsham. The Government complains about missed hospital appointments but closes the road to get there.
    Needed to get to Ashford Hospital but M20 was closed. Left early, but not early enough, so turned back at Harrietsham. The Government complains about missed hospital appointments but closes the road to get there.
  • Share Gridlock on Facebook Share Gridlock on Twitter Share Gridlock on Linkedin Email Gridlock link

    Gridlock

    by Lenham resiident. , over 3 years ago
    As residents of Lenham we are slap bang in the middle of Brock, the disruption it causes the residents of he village and surrounding areas is immeasurable.


    Do we need anything from town do we need to go food shopping is the traffic moving ? Will we start queuing from Harrietsham to get to Maidstone how long will it take to get home again. All questions you ask yourselves before you attempt to travel. Yes there are back roads you can use but so does everybody else. The answer in my opinion is to make Manston Airport a lorry park... Continue reading

    As residents of Lenham we are slap bang in the middle of Brock, the disruption it causes the residents of he village and surrounding areas is immeasurable.


    Do we need anything from town do we need to go food shopping is the traffic moving ? Will we start queuing from Harrietsham to get to Maidstone how long will it take to get home again. All questions you ask yourselves before you attempt to travel. Yes there are back roads you can use but so does everybody else. The answer in my opinion is to make Manston Airport a lorry park for freight traffic to park in construct all the necessary facilities that the drivers require toilets, showers, cafe etc.



  • Share There are times when i have not been able to get home on Facebook Share There are times when i have not been able to get home on Twitter Share There are times when i have not been able to get home on Linkedin Email There are times when i have not been able to get home link

    There are times when i have not been able to get home

    by Steve Lakin, over 3 years ago

    I work in London and travel to work everyday by using the M20. Typical, getting to work is fine when Brock in on, the challenge is always getting home.

    I just cant see why the slip lane heading south at junction 8 is closed. it just doesn't make sense at all. What this actually does is slow up the M20 to a standstill (accident waiting to happen) and at the junction itself, pushes lorries and traffic down the A20..I live just off the A20 and the road isn't capable of taking large volumes of slow moving vehicles.

    The M20 was... Continue reading

    I work in London and travel to work everyday by using the M20. Typical, getting to work is fine when Brock in on, the challenge is always getting home.

    I just cant see why the slip lane heading south at junction 8 is closed. it just doesn't make sense at all. What this actually does is slow up the M20 to a standstill (accident waiting to happen) and at the junction itself, pushes lorries and traffic down the A20..I live just off the A20 and the road isn't capable of taking large volumes of slow moving vehicles.

    The M20 was so full one night, as was the A20 that after an exhaustive day at work, I came off at 8 and slept in the car at the services for an hour before carrying on from home.

    To top it all, it always seems to coincide with road closures on the Leeds Road (B2163), Kegworth Road and Broomfield Lane. There's sometimes no way home...

    The trouble is that junction 8 is now a massive bottle neck dispersing traffic to the Maidstone south and surrounding villages. Where's that long overdue bypass (Sorry, residents of Leeds village)

    Come on please. Try and sort out the logic and re open the slip lane south at junction 8. I mean, how much money is that costing to have a security patrol there to police it all? Must be close on £200k this time round.. I have a funny feeling that its me as a rate payer that's helping to fund it all..

    Ever hopeful.

  • Share Very limiting, but there are answers on Facebook Share Very limiting, but there are answers on Twitter Share Very limiting, but there are answers on Linkedin Email Very limiting, but there are answers link

    Very limiting, but there are answers

    by DadMT, over 3 years ago
    I have lived in Kent for my entire adult life and remember times before the M20 "missing link", and Royal Engineers Way/Fairmeadow. Crawling into Maidstone and crawling from Maidstone to Ashford was the norm.


    It did get better. So we have had a few years when those new roads made things better, but there was no follow-up with the Leeds/Langley by-pass, or a southern relief road.

    And now that so many extra people live in Maidstone (and the rest of Kent), it has become tougher getting around town, before one ever considers leaving for the day for work or leisure... Continue reading
    I have lived in Kent for my entire adult life and remember times before the M20 "missing link", and Royal Engineers Way/Fairmeadow. Crawling into Maidstone and crawling from Maidstone to Ashford was the norm.


    It did get better. So we have had a few years when those new roads made things better, but there was no follow-up with the Leeds/Langley by-pass, or a southern relief road.

    And now that so many extra people live in Maidstone (and the rest of Kent), it has become tougher getting around town, before one ever considers leaving for the day for work or leisure. Typically the journey from Junc 6, 7 or 8 to our destination is still shorter than the journey from home to the motorway!
    How many people both live and work in Maidstone? I have often found that many who now live here actually work in London, and many who work here have to live in Medway, Swale or Ashford where it is more affordable for their income. And lets not get started on all those who bring their grammar school children here from the other towns/counties where they live!

    So when there is an extra delay with Op Brock, this then means that a journey to the coast, or Ashford is just a non-starter.

    A permanent solution is required, but it requires the people of Kent to accept that has to be built in Kent. There is no sense in complaining and then opposing any solutions that are offered for fear that house prices will be blighted etc. But we cannot move mountains, and the selfish will continue to be selfish and blame others.
    It doesn't have to be one single entity though, or even just one approach.

    I for one would happily have seen a road-to-rail depot set up in the district, or an expansion of the Junc 8 services to allow greater HGV capacity. Ashford, Dover and F&H could all also accommodate M20 schemes. Gravesham, Medway, Swale, Canterbury and Dover can also accommodate M2/A2 facilities to make the North Kent corridor the natural route to Dover, rather that diverting traffic onto the M20.
    Remember that the Lower Thames Crossing will be with us before you know it and that will relieve congestion at Dartford, but put traffic into Mid Kent much quicker.

    Another alternative view is that if you cannot improve capacity of roads to the ports, then you have to LIMIT capacity at the ports. Just as Airports recently told airlines to stop selling tickets, as they couldn't put people on the flights they had sold. Kent authorities could force the shipping companies into a maximum capacity that fits with an agreed maximum road capacity. This could be reduced when adverse weather is anticipated so new tickets are not sold when companies know they cannot sail.
    Just as the DRC is free overnight, there could be overnight discounts for crossings, helping to shift traffic away from peak times.
    We need to bring back the Eurostar services boarding from the Kent stations now, as making it a London-only service has pushed Kent travelers onto the shuttle or ferries instead.

    I'd rather not have the inconvenience of long delays on the M20 or any Maidstone Roads, but it's not just about me. I chose not to make unnecessary journeys so I'm not part of the problem.


    Sad to say, but after 4 decades in Kent I am now looking to move away so that I can go out when it suits me rather than when traffic allows. Worse still, I will probably sell my home to a Londoner who will add to the problem with a daily commute.