How does Operation Brock impact you?

Tell about your experiences of Operation Brock

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  Very limiting, but there are answers

  by DadMT, about 4 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.
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  Not again

  by Tovil rural resident, about 4 years ago
  Trying to get in and out of Maidstone is slow at most popular times but Operation Brock makes it a case of diminishing returns. I have turned off the A20 on occasions having been made to use it along with everyone else. I have had important meetings with friends from Dover aborted. Luckily, I am no longer at work in NHS community care. That could cut our number of visits a day from 6 to 3 in the Maidstone area. It gave no time to do notes in the car before setting off again and ended up still doing them... Continue reading

  Trying to get in and out of Maidstone is slow at most popular times but Operation Brock makes it a case of diminishing returns. I have turned off the A20 on occasions having been made to use it along with everyone else. I have had important meetings with friends from Dover aborted. Luckily, I am no longer at work in NHS community care. That could cut our number of visits a day from 6 to 3 in the Maidstone area. It gave no time to do notes in the car before setting off again and ended up still doing them late at night.

  Closure warnings are appalling, another waste of time and petrol. I’ve started exploring Kent but am leaving everything to the East of Maidstone as far too risky. It is now noticeable that vans, and even bigger lorries, are trying to find a way round. I live on a tiny, one lane road so I go nowhere at times. This is happening in Maidstone town too. You can taste the pollution in the air if you walk into town.
  
  
  
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  Travelling for work, missing out on family

  by NM, about 4 years ago

  I travel from Ashford to Maidstone at least twice a week for work, if not more frequently. My husband also works in Maidstone and comes in at least once a week as well. Between the both of us I cannot even say how long we have spent in traffic, delays or at reduced speed limits due to Op Brock. At this stage, its been almost since we moved to Ashford, and that was over 5 years ago.

  The frustration I have extends to the continued works/improvements, and lack of information from Highways England/KCC on why further works are needed, why... Continue reading

  I travel from Ashford to Maidstone at least twice a week for work, if not more frequently. My husband also works in Maidstone and comes in at least once a week as well. Between the both of us I cannot even say how long we have spent in traffic, delays or at reduced speed limits due to Op Brock. At this stage, its been almost since we moved to Ashford, and that was over 5 years ago.

  The frustration I have extends to the continued works/improvements, and lack of information from Highways England/KCC on why further works are needed, why Op Brock is being activated etc. The communication is so poor and I cannot ever understand why these decisions are made.

  In addition, it doesn't even seem to work. When the P&O perfect storm happened a few months ago, it caused chaos on the A20 and no access to the M20. I'm not sure how that is (in effect) any different from Operation Stack.

  I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. I've lost literally days worth of time with them because of this. As someone working in Maidstone, I have also had individuals refuse to attend the Borough from other organizations because of the sheer chaos on the roads.

  I am personally glad that MBC are taking the time to collate this information and hope it goes some way to improving this dire situation for families, residents and professionals.
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  M20 closed coast bound for cars/vans/local traffic

  by Russell, about 4 years ago
  I understand at the moment they only have the M20 Coast bound carrigeway between junction 8 and 9 to stack HGVs waiting for the tunnel or ferry, and thats fair enough, a massive lorry park is never going to be built, as no one will want that on their doorstep.

  However the other cariageway should always remain open to cars/vans/local traffic, with 2 lanes for each direction, even if its 50mph. Not sure how this would work at junction 8, separting French bound HGVs, and cars/local traffic, but maybe a second on/off slip road just for this purpose at junction... Continue reading

  I understand at the moment they only have the M20 Coast bound carrigeway between junction 8 and 9 to stack HGVs waiting for the tunnel or ferry, and thats fair enough, a massive lorry park is never going to be built, as no one will want that on their doorstep.

  However the other cariageway should always remain open to cars/vans/local traffic, with 2 lanes for each direction, even if its 50mph. Not sure how this would work at junction 8, separting French bound HGVs, and cars/local traffic, but maybe a second on/off slip road just for this purpose at junction 8 is the answer.

  
  

  
  
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  Trapped in our own home

  by Frustrated, about 4 years ago

  When the m20 is closed for operation Brock, the tail back affects traffic right back to the a249 junction. This impacts on the a20 as everyone tries to continue their journey.

  The tail back brings to a halt the link Route Newcut road.

  I live on Crownfields. The only way I can get off my estate is to use Newcut Road. As a community nurse I have been unable to get to my early patient,Usually diabetics who need insuline. This puts their lives at risk

  When the m20 is closed for operation Brock, the tail back affects traffic right back to the a249 junction. This impacts on the a20 as everyone tries to continue their journey.

  The tail back brings to a halt the link Route Newcut road.

  I live on Crownfields. The only way I can get off my estate is to use Newcut Road. As a community nurse I have been unable to get to my early patient,Usually diabetics who need insuline. This puts their lives at risk
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  Poor facilities.

  by golfeater, about 4 years ago

  Whenever Operation Brock is instigated any idea of a trip to the seaside like Folkstone etc is put off. Also it must put people off visiting Kent.

  It appears there are never any amenities set up like food, toilets etc for anyone unlucky caught up in the chaos.

  The local road network also suffers as drivers attempt to circumnavigate the M20.

  surely the answer lies at the Dover port cannot cope at certain times, upgrading to a bigger port is the answer, i would hate to live in Dover!

  Whenever Operation Brock is instigated any idea of a trip to the seaside like Folkstone etc is put off. Also it must put people off visiting Kent.

  It appears there are never any amenities set up like food, toilets etc for anyone unlucky caught up in the chaos.

  The local road network also suffers as drivers attempt to circumnavigate the M20.

  surely the answer lies at the Dover port cannot cope at certain times, upgrading to a bigger port is the answer, i would hate to live in Dover!
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  Crippling kent

  by Andrew, about 4 years ago
  Living in Ulcombe and being a mobile engineer. Operation brock is a joke. Always traffic and here's a good idea. Let put all the traffic along the a20 instead. Do these people who make these decisions actually get paid or do we recruit brainless zombies who haven't a clue........I'm sure the latter is true. All the people who live in the surrounding areas should be given a share of these zombies wages. Maybe then they might have some sort of idea what stress this is.....and not make these decisions a million miles away from the actual problem.

  Living in Ulcombe and being a mobile engineer. Operation brock is a joke. Always traffic and here's a good idea. Let put all the traffic along the a20 instead. Do these people who make these decisions actually get paid or do we recruit brainless zombies who haven't a clue........I'm sure the latter is true. All the people who live in the surrounding areas should be given a share of these zombies wages. Maybe then they might have some sort of idea what stress this is.....and not make these decisions a million miles away from the actual problem.
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  Activities curtailed

  by hmt7 , about 4 years ago
  I occasionally work in Canterbury. I like to drive from Maidstone along the A20, A252 and A28, rather than using the M2 all the time. However, this is impossible during Brock. Using the M2 makes my journey a lot longer and has its own traffic issues at Stockbury and Brenley Corner in particular. I have also avoided driving to Ashford, Hythe, Lenham and Leeds Castle, all places that I like to visit occasionally.

  I occasionally work in Canterbury. I like to drive from Maidstone along the A20, A252 and A28, rather than using the M2 all the time. However, this is impossible during Brock. Using the M2 makes my journey a lot longer and has its own traffic issues at Stockbury and Brenley Corner in particular. I have also avoided driving to Ashford, Hythe, Lenham and Leeds Castle, all places that I like to visit occasionally.
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  traffic blocking surrounding roads

  by linda, about 4 years ago
  i retired a year ago, operation brock stops me from going out visiting friends and family, I live in Maidstone all surrounding areas are full of traffic jams, I cant be bothered going out when brock is on, a depressing way of life, I'm now wanting to move

  i retired a year ago, operation brock stops me from going out visiting friends and family, I live in Maidstone all surrounding areas are full of traffic jams, I cant be bothered going out when brock is on, a depressing way of life, I'm now wanting to move
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  Gridlocked

  by Jules , about 4 years ago
  Turns Maidstone roads into mayhem . The knock on effect is crazy , long tail backs and constant heavy traffic through residential roads. Puts so much extra time on travelling to work or any journeys involved .

  The motorway is scattered with bottles of urine and bags of faces , it’s unbelievable to think this is Great Britain . 😡

  
  

  Turns Maidstone roads into mayhem . The knock on effect is crazy , long tail backs and constant heavy traffic through residential roads. Puts so much extra time on travelling to work or any journeys involved .

  The motorway is scattered with bottles of urine and bags of faces , it’s unbelievable to think this is Great Britain . 😡