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 A big inconvenience that affects when or where I travel to on Facebook Share A big inconvenience that affects when or where I travel to on Twitter Share A big inconvenience that affects when or where I travel to on Linkedin Email A big inconvenience that affects when or where I travel to link

    A big inconvenience that affects when or where I travel to

    by Racder98, over 3 years ago
    When I was working in Maidstone town centre as a retail manager op Brock had a big effect on trade as customers are less likely to travel into town. This was hard to explain to head office in Glasgow as they don't understand the traffic volume in Kent. Now I have stopped work it affects where I go as I am reluctant to get stuck in traffic jams and hate travelling with no hard shoulder! Several times I have had a lorry behind me travelling back to Maidstone on M20 and it's very intimidating. I now use the A20 a... Continue reading
    When I was working in Maidstone town centre as a retail manager op Brock had a big effect on trade as customers are less likely to travel into town. This was hard to explain to head office in Glasgow as they don't understand the traffic volume in Kent. Now I have stopped work it affects where I go as I am reluctant to get stuck in traffic jams and hate travelling with no hard shoulder! Several times I have had a lorry behind me travelling back to Maidstone on M20 and it's very intimidating. I now use the A20 a lot more due to this. This year has been bad what with P and O etc so I have been to Rye or hastings more than usual to avoid Brock.
  • Share A20 Congestion and Noise on Facebook Share A20 Congestion and Noise on Twitter Share A20 Congestion and Noise on Linkedin Email A20 Congestion and Noise link

    A20 Congestion and Noise

    by Mark, over 3 years ago
    I live in Harrietsham and thankfully work from home. My wife, however, works in Maidstone. Some mornings she has to leave ridiculously early to successfully turn right onto the A20 from Hook Lane and then slowly crawl in queuing traffic all the way to the roundabouts and Junction 8 of the M20. Action, please. Operation Brock, in my opinion, causes too much traffic to overspill onto the A20 - including foreign - registered HGVs trying to bypass Brock. There are two possible solutions:
    1. Correct the single most self - damaging act of recent times and rejoin the EU; or
    2. Put... Continue reading
    I live in Harrietsham and thankfully work from home. My wife, however, works in Maidstone. Some mornings she has to leave ridiculously early to successfully turn right onto the A20 from Hook Lane and then slowly crawl in queuing traffic all the way to the roundabouts and Junction 8 of the M20. Action, please. Operation Brock, in my opinion, causes too much traffic to overspill onto the A20 - including foreign - registered HGVs trying to bypass Brock. There are two possible solutions:
    1. Correct the single most self - damaging act of recent times and rejoin the EU; or
    2. Put in place the necessary infrastructure to remove the appalling delays, perhaps this could be done by reopening Folkestone as a port, as the infrastructure to do so largely still exists?

    In the meantime, can we please have some policing of foreign-plated HGVs using the A20 as a bypass? They aren't delivering locally, they are returning to the continent. I don't blame them if they don't fear sanctions for bypassing the queues but there does need to be a deterrent or the situation will worsen.

    Rant over (retired traffic police officer, not from Kent Police).

  • Share Dangerous on Facebook Share Dangerous on Twitter Share Dangerous on Linkedin Email Dangerous link

    Dangerous

    by Sara, over 3 years ago
    I have to use the M20 from Maidstone to Ashford when we visit our caravan for weekends. I hate using the motorway when operation brock is in place as I hate the narrow outside lane with the concrete barrier so close. I think it is very dangerous as it is to narrow to pass HGV's safely. I am always frightened of breaking down whist in the 50 mph narrow lanes. It has gone on too long
    I have to use the M20 from Maidstone to Ashford when we visit our caravan for weekends. I hate using the motorway when operation brock is in place as I hate the narrow outside lane with the concrete barrier so close. I think it is very dangerous as it is to narrow to pass HGV's safely. I am always frightened of breaking down whist in the 50 mph narrow lanes. It has gone on too long
  • Share Lovely & quiet on Facebook Share Lovely & quiet on Twitter Share Lovely & quiet on Linkedin Email Lovely & quiet link

    Lovely & quiet

    by LizM, over 3 years ago
    Operation Brock makes it lovely and quiet at our house. I love it - as long as I don't have to go anywhere. Obviously it means all the other routes are gridlocked, especially the A20. Which is why is is unfathomable that MBC would even consider building a new town - 5,000 houses, plus schools, shops & offices - at Lenham Heath. All these extra vehicles would have to use the A20, too. The other local roads are mainly single-track and entirely unsuitable for any extra traffic. Even now, if Op Brock or similar schemes push the traffic off the... Continue reading
    Operation Brock makes it lovely and quiet at our house. I love it - as long as I don't have to go anywhere. Obviously it means all the other routes are gridlocked, especially the A20. Which is why is is unfathomable that MBC would even consider building a new town - 5,000 houses, plus schools, shops & offices - at Lenham Heath. All these extra vehicles would have to use the A20, too. The other local roads are mainly single-track and entirely unsuitable for any extra traffic. Even now, if Op Brock or similar schemes push the traffic off the M20, any problems on the A20 (road works, crashes, breakdowns) mean an influx of vehicle trying to find a way round the blockage, using Lenham Heath Road and other back ways. This is unsustainable and damaging to hedgerows, banks, verges and animals, not to mention walkers and cyclists who take their lives in their hands while going about their daily business.

    Massive investment in rail freight and diverting sea freight away from Dover to Thames ports & further up country are the only options I can see. If Manston does open as a freight hub, onward travel should be by rail or air, not on the already over-busy Kent roads. However, I do feel sorry for lorry drivers, who have to comply with all sorts of hours limitations yet have nowhere to stop easily or cheaply.

  • Share Endless Traffic on Facebook Share Endless Traffic on Twitter Share Endless Traffic on Linkedin Email Endless Traffic link

    Endless Traffic

    by Caroline, over 3 years ago
    Living in Bearsted, near the Bell Pub. Traffic at the Next M20 junction is appealing with traffic trying to access M20. At times, it is gridlocked.
    Living in Bearsted, near the Bell Pub. Traffic at the Next M20 junction is appealing with traffic trying to access M20. At times, it is gridlocked.
  • Share Gridlock on Facebook Share Gridlock on Twitter Share Gridlock on Linkedin Email Gridlock link

    Gridlock

    by MIKEP25, over 3 years ago
    When op Brock is in place there is no point in trying to leave Kingswood as the A20 and all surrounding roads will be gridlocked. It is impossible to reach the Doctors or Dentists at Kenyan without taking a detour. Invariably the Leeds road will be closed with HGVs then using and blocking Broomfield Lane.

    Whilst it may be possible to take a longer route to Maidstone returning will take up to 90 minutes instead of the usual 20.

    When op Brock is in place there is no point in trying to leave Kingswood as the A20 and all surrounding roads will be gridlocked. It is impossible to reach the Doctors or Dentists at Kenyan without taking a detour. Invariably the Leeds road will be closed with HGVs then using and blocking Broomfield Lane.

    Whilst it may be possible to take a longer route to Maidstone returning will take up to 90 minutes instead of the usual 20.

  • Share JonH on Facebook Share JonH on Twitter Share JonH on Linkedin Email JonH link

    JonH

    by JonH, over 3 years ago

    Three members of my family commute most days from Harrietsham using the A20. When Op Brock is in place journey times that normally take 10 - 20mins can easily take 1 - 2 hours. This has happened many times during 2022. The local bus service is also impacted which has affected our daughter's journey to school in Maidstone.

    Looking at the bigger picture, part of the answer is to encourage people to make better use of our train service - not normally affected by Brock. This could be achieved in part by improving the service - perhaps more frequent trains... Continue reading

    Three members of my family commute most days from Harrietsham using the A20. When Op Brock is in place journey times that normally take 10 - 20mins can easily take 1 - 2 hours. This has happened many times during 2022. The local bus service is also impacted which has affected our daughter's journey to school in Maidstone.

    Looking at the bigger picture, part of the answer is to encourage people to make better use of our train service - not normally affected by Brock. This could be achieved in part by improving the service - perhaps more frequent trains? And also to keep Lenham station, rather than replace it with a new one away from the village. Would it even be possible to create a connection from the local line to the high speed line near Hollingbourne, where the two lines cross, so that local services could run much more quickly into London?

  • Share Getting Into Maidstone. on Facebook Share Getting Into Maidstone. on Twitter Share Getting Into Maidstone. on Linkedin Email Getting Into Maidstone. link

    Getting Into Maidstone.

    by Baffled, over 3 years ago
    I very rarely use the M20 towards the coast but Operation Brock has a continual impact on the A20 trying to get into Maidstone.

    Along with Operation Brock, plus the ever increasing road closures and diversions in the Bearsted and East Maidstone areas, this has considerable impact on the A20 Ashford road into and out of Maidstone.

    Alas Kent is no longer the "Garden of England" but Spaghetti Junction to Europe.

    I very rarely use the M20 towards the coast but Operation Brock has a continual impact on the A20 trying to get into Maidstone.

    Along with Operation Brock, plus the ever increasing road closures and diversions in the Bearsted and East Maidstone areas, this has considerable impact on the A20 Ashford road into and out of Maidstone.

    Alas Kent is no longer the "Garden of England" but Spaghetti Junction to Europe.

  • Share Feed up to the teeth with Operation Brock on Facebook Share Feed up to the teeth with Operation Brock on Twitter Share Feed up to the teeth with Operation Brock on Linkedin Email Feed up to the teeth with Operation Brock link

    Feed up to the teeth with Operation Brock

    by Cozza, over 3 years ago

    We have endured traffic chaos for years I am sick of not knowing if I can venture out on the roads or whether I shall end up with bumper to bumper traffic I am delayed both in and out of Maidstone always roadworks or accidents I have written to my MP who totally agrees that Operation Brock should be replaced with a sustainable replacement.

    We have endured traffic chaos for years I am sick of not knowing if I can venture out on the roads or whether I shall end up with bumper to bumper traffic I am delayed both in and out of Maidstone always roadworks or accidents I have written to my MP who totally agrees that Operation Brock should be replaced with a sustainable replacement.

  • Share Op Brock on Facebook Share Op Brock on Twitter Share Op Brock on Linkedin Email Op Brock link

    Op Brock

    by Jean, over 3 years ago
    The system is the best option however the traffic cannot cope with this system


    if there is an accident then the longest part of the m20 becomes gridlocked


    The system is the best option however the traffic cannot cope with this system


    if there is an accident then the longest part of the m20 becomes gridlocked