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 Brexit and Brock have brought travel chaos to Kent on Facebook Share Brexit and Brock have brought travel chaos to Kent on X (formerly Twitter) Share Brexit and Brock have brought travel chaos to Kent on Linkedin Email Brexit and Brock have brought travel chaos to Kent link

    Brexit and Brock have brought travel chaos to Kent

    by JT, about 4 years ago

    Brexit has caused our once Continental friends in the EU to turn against the UK in as many ways as they find possible....we were held up for hours in long queues at passport control for UK passport holders at the airport in each of my 2 recent visits abroad (in the last 2 months) with the EU passport control line being completely clear. The traffic trying vainly to cross the channel by ferry or the Tunnel are being similarly held up by French passport control and Operation Brock is now succeeding in exacerbating the damage, delays and stress in everyone's... Continue reading

    Brexit has caused our once Continental friends in the EU to turn against the UK in as many ways as they find possible....we were held up for hours in long queues at passport control for UK passport holders at the airport in each of my 2 recent visits abroad (in the last 2 months) with the EU passport control line being completely clear. The traffic trying vainly to cross the channel by ferry or the Tunnel are being similarly held up by French passport control and Operation Brock is now succeeding in exacerbating the damage, delays and stress in everyone's lives in Kent.

    Operation Brock is a nightmare not only for everyone in Kent but for the poor lorry drivers and holidaymakers stuck for hours and sometimes days in the chaos it causes. My own difficulties caused by Brock are that driving anywhere in East Kent is pretty much impossible these days, our access to the coastbound M20 is prevented as Junction 8 entry is closed to us and it prevents us visiting the coast or Ashford for shopping or restaurants which we used to do all the time.

    As a consequence of Operation Brock all the other roads in Kent have become blocked with traffic backed up because the coastbound M20 is no longer viable for travel. This causes delay, frustration, stress and loss of business.

    Why on earth the Dept for Transport cannot either buy or lease land near Dover to allow lorries to park and wait with proper facilities is a mystery to me. They have the power of Compulsory purchase why aren't they using this? And why can't the other potential solution of controlling coastbound traffic upstream also (not instead of) be used? The Government are elected to serve us all but at present Kent residents seem to be very low on their list of priorities.

  • Share A20 Harrietsham on Facebook Share A20 Harrietsham on X (formerly Twitter) Share A20 Harrietsham on Linkedin Email A20 Harrietsham link

    A20 Harrietsham

    by Steve , about 4 years ago
    I live in Harrietsham and the A20 is constantly blocked full time bursting. Cars are using it instead of continuing down the M20 at J8. They feel it’s a quicker route. It’s not. It just inconveniences all the normal traffic that uses the A20. Add this to to the poor timing but I understand necessary road works and it’s an absolute mess using the A20 when brock is on.
    I live in Harrietsham and the A20 is constantly blocked full time bursting. Cars are using it instead of continuing down the M20 at J8. They feel it’s a quicker route. It’s not. It just inconveniences all the normal traffic that uses the A20. Add this to to the poor timing but I understand necessary road works and it’s an absolute mess using the A20 when brock is on.
  • Share Richard on Facebook Share Richard on X (formerly Twitter) Share Richard on Linkedin Email Richard link

    Richard

    by Richard , about 4 years ago
    The M20 is an important motorway which links the whole country to the channel ports and provides the crucial conduit for goods throughout the UK. For too many years Government has used the M20 as a lorry park. Operation Brock is just the latest name for actions which show a lack of ideas, initiative and willingness to create a permanent solution which does not bring Maidstone and the wider Kent community into gridlock. I cannot join the M20 at junction 8 for Ashford; this has to be via junction 7! A combination of schemes may be necessary which (a) stops... Continue reading
    The M20 is an important motorway which links the whole country to the channel ports and provides the crucial conduit for goods throughout the UK. For too many years Government has used the M20 as a lorry park. Operation Brock is just the latest name for actions which show a lack of ideas, initiative and willingness to create a permanent solution which does not bring Maidstone and the wider Kent community into gridlock. I cannot join the M20 at junction 8 for Ashford; this has to be via junction 7! A combination of schemes may be necessary which (a) stops vehicles travelling into Kent and so stops the blocking of the highway and (b) providing sustainable lorry parking for lorries already waiting to cross the channe.
  • Share Lenham Heath Road used as a rat run! on Facebook Share Lenham Heath Road used as a rat run! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Lenham Heath Road used as a rat run! on Linkedin Email Lenham Heath Road used as a rat run! link

    Lenham Heath Road used as a rat run!

    by Te, about 4 years ago
    I have grave concern over the Lenham Heath road being used by a rat run. This happens very regularly everyone operation Brock us implemented and there is knick on problems on the A20.

    With the new proposed Heathlands development the we hole area will become grid locked and cause it exceedingly hard for us to leave our homes safely. I have had my own car damaged parked outside our house during one such period of time!

    The A20 can't cope, the villages can't cope and neither can the residents.

    I have grave concern over the Lenham Heath road being used by a rat run. This happens very regularly everyone operation Brock us implemented and there is knick on problems on the A20.

    With the new proposed Heathlands development the we hole area will become grid locked and cause it exceedingly hard for us to leave our homes safely. I have had my own car damaged parked outside our house during one such period of time!

    The A20 can't cope, the villages can't cope and neither can the residents.

  • Share Caring responsibilities on Facebook Share Caring responsibilities on X (formerly Twitter) Share Caring responsibilities on Linkedin Email Caring responsibilities link

    Caring responsibilities

    by Mrs T, about 4 years ago
    We have elderly relatives living near Dover and need to visit them regularly, but closure of the M20 for Op Brock makes it much more difficult and time consuming, and we have to plan carefully to avoid peak times, which causes much inconvenience. Use of the A20 just adds to our travel woes, as both the M20 and A20 are on our usual route. At the risk of moving the problem to somewhere else, it’s high time a more permanent solution is found to stop this bottleneck, which just clogs up all the local country roads with unsuitable traffic, which... Continue reading
    We have elderly relatives living near Dover and need to visit them regularly, but closure of the M20 for Op Brock makes it much more difficult and time consuming, and we have to plan carefully to avoid peak times, which causes much inconvenience. Use of the A20 just adds to our travel woes, as both the M20 and A20 are on our usual route. At the risk of moving the problem to somewhere else, it’s high time a more permanent solution is found to stop this bottleneck, which just clogs up all the local country roads with unsuitable traffic, which are already suffering as a result of the explosion of housing development in the area. The area is grinding to a halt as a result.
  • Share Travel to work affected on Facebook Share Travel to work affected on X (formerly Twitter) Share Travel to work affected on Linkedin Email Travel to work affected link

    Travel to work affected

    by ED, about 4 years ago

    I travel Maidstone to Folkestone and back for work.

    It obviously adds about 10 minutes to the journey each way.

    Some vehicles are quite aggressive and come right up behind as they want to go by.

    London bound is worse as the foreign lorries want to travel at 60mph+ and cant go in overtaking lane so hassle hassle hassle. They have no repercussions of speeding.

    Equally annoying are the cars travelling below the 50 mph esp if at 40 mph as it is really hard to get out into overtaking lane.

    If a vehicle breaks down it is horrendous.

    So... Continue reading

    I travel Maidstone to Folkestone and back for work.

    It obviously adds about 10 minutes to the journey each way.

    Some vehicles are quite aggressive and come right up behind as they want to go by.

    London bound is worse as the foreign lorries want to travel at 60mph+ and cant go in overtaking lane so hassle hassle hassle. They have no repercussions of speeding.

    Equally annoying are the cars travelling below the 50 mph esp if at 40 mph as it is really hard to get out into overtaking lane.

    If a vehicle breaks down it is horrendous.

    So it is stressful, requires intense concentration.

    But better than having to go on A20!


  • Share A20 traffic and noise. on Facebook Share A20 traffic and noise. on X (formerly Twitter) Share A20 traffic and noise. on Linkedin Email A20 traffic and noise. link

    A20 traffic and noise.

    by G. Parsons, about 4 years ago
    I live near the Community Centre in Lenham just off the A20.

    The noise at night is unrelenting as the M20 is closed at junction 8.During the day it’s the same but more so because of daytime traffic as well and the volume of traffic is such that it’s very difficult to turn onto the A20 to travel towards Ashford.Enormous trucks are travelling through the village day and night too.
    How will this ever end




    I live near the Community Centre in Lenham just off the A20.

    The noise at night is unrelenting as the M20 is closed at junction 8.During the day it’s the same but more so because of daytime traffic as well and the volume of traffic is such that it’s very difficult to turn onto the A20 to travel towards Ashford.Enormous trucks are travelling through the village day and night too.
    How will this ever end




  • Share Chaos on Facebook Share Chaos on X (formerly Twitter) Share Chaos on Linkedin Email Chaos link

    Chaos

    by Carl, about 4 years ago
    The roads around Bearsted have been chaos. HGVs have been ignoring the roads. Nightmare to travel to Ashford to see in law who is in a care home.


    choas when a vehicle breaks down on the restricted 2 lanes Of the M20.


    Lack of common sense by drivers who totally ignore the speed limits.

    The roads around Bearsted have been chaos. HGVs have been ignoring the roads. Nightmare to travel to Ashford to see in law who is in a care home.


    choas when a vehicle breaks down on the restricted 2 lanes Of the M20.


    Lack of common sense by drivers who totally ignore the speed limits.

  • Share Cycling helps - but creates it’s own dangers on Facebook Share Cycling helps - but creates it’s own dangers on X (formerly Twitter) Share Cycling helps - but creates it’s own dangers on Linkedin Email Cycling helps - but creates it’s own dangers link

    Cycling helps - but creates it’s own dangers

    by Yelsob, about 4 years ago
    We try to cycle from Grove Green to Harrietsham and Lenham. This helps because we can beat the traffic by using the back lanes - however traffic on these lanes has increased as a result of op b. And we have had some near misses with traffic that comes around corners and takes up the width of the road.

    Cycle lanes on the A20 could help- if they are not the narrow unsafe type.
    The journey by car around Grove Green, Bearsted and up to Harrietsham can be miserable.


    We try to cycle from Grove Green to Harrietsham and Lenham. This helps because we can beat the traffic by using the back lanes - however traffic on these lanes has increased as a result of op b. And we have had some near misses with traffic that comes around corners and takes up the width of the road.

    Cycle lanes on the A20 could help- if they are not the narrow unsafe type.
    The journey by car around Grove Green, Bearsted and up to Harrietsham can be miserable.


  • Share Frustrated of Kent on Facebook Share Frustrated of Kent on X (formerly Twitter) Share Frustrated of Kent on Linkedin Email Frustrated of Kent link

    Frustrated of Kent

    by Harvey , about 4 years ago
    Operation Brock and the ports are a disaster. Stop lorries entering Kent when there is a problem, build better, affordable truck parks all over the motorway network. Force car drivers to stay away from crossing points until a stipulated time before their crossing. Fine and delay those that do not comply
    Operation Brock and the ports are a disaster. Stop lorries entering Kent when there is a problem, build better, affordable truck parks all over the motorway network. Force car drivers to stay away from crossing points until a stipulated time before their crossing. Fine and delay those that do not comply