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 Operation Brock on Facebook Share Operation Brock on Twitter Share Operation Brock on Linkedin Email Operation Brock link

    Operation Brock

    by Victoria , almost 4 years ago
    Not only does it cause issues for travel on the M20 but adds to the traffic through Maidstone with people trying to avoid it.

    What is a 12 minute journey from work to my house at 6pm can take up to 45 minutes.

    Several times travelling the M20 there have been no lorries in the contra flow and don’t understand why it’s in place.

    Not only does it cause issues for travel on the M20 but adds to the traffic through Maidstone with people trying to avoid it.

    What is a 12 minute journey from work to my house at 6pm can take up to 45 minutes.

    Several times travelling the M20 there have been no lorries in the contra flow and don’t understand why it’s in place.

  • Share Utter Chaos ! on Facebook Share Utter Chaos ! on Twitter Share Utter Chaos ! on Linkedin Email Utter Chaos ! link

    Utter Chaos !

    by Tania Hollingbourne resident., almost 4 years ago

    When Operation Brock is in place it causes utter mayhem in all the surrounding Villages total gridlock !

    The infrastructure in Kent is so poor anyway with more Housing estates being built and the Roads are just not adequate enough at the best of times. Brock just adds to the problem. I live in Hollingbourne which just becomes nose to tail with the volume of vehicles trying to find an alternative route through here and the main road is quite narrow in places, certainly not suitable for this amount of traffic. Drivers become frustrated and quite aggressive in their driving... Continue reading

    When Operation Brock is in place it causes utter mayhem in all the surrounding Villages total gridlock !

    The infrastructure in Kent is so poor anyway with more Housing estates being built and the Roads are just not adequate enough at the best of times. Brock just adds to the problem. I live in Hollingbourne which just becomes nose to tail with the volume of vehicles trying to find an alternative route through here and the main road is quite narrow in places, certainly not suitable for this amount of traffic. Drivers become frustrated and quite aggressive in their driving and drive through this Village with no thought for the resident's that live here. We already have issues in this Village as Hollingbourne is a Rat run for Sittingbourne and the Medway area traffic. We either suffer here with total congestion when brock is in place or speeding vehicles when it isn't. I live at the base of Hollingbourne Hill which has no pedestrian pathway and barely 2 vehicles can pass safely outside my House. This volume of traffic coming through here is posing a danger to people because of points I have previously mentioned also an increase in Road Traffic Accidents and also damage to property

  • Share Constant traffic problems caused by brock on Facebook Share Constant traffic problems caused by brock on Twitter Share Constant traffic problems caused by brock on Linkedin Email Constant traffic problems caused by brock link

    Constant traffic problems caused by brock

    by B4ssy , almost 4 years ago
    The M20 is constantly being closed at J8. This causes traffic congestion in multiple villages which link to the A20. The congestion in all these villages is far worse than it would be on the M20, if it were to remain open. Another solution needs to be found urgently.

    Why is the slip road closed heading south to M20 on J8 roundabout? There is absolutely no reason why this should remain closed at all times. Any traffic using the service area then has to go back to J7 to re enter the southbound carriageway. Quite frankly it’s ludicrous.

    The M20 is constantly being closed at J8. This causes traffic congestion in multiple villages which link to the A20. The congestion in all these villages is far worse than it would be on the M20, if it were to remain open. Another solution needs to be found urgently.

    Why is the slip road closed heading south to M20 on J8 roundabout? There is absolutely no reason why this should remain closed at all times. Any traffic using the service area then has to go back to J7 to re enter the southbound carriageway. Quite frankly it’s ludicrous.

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    Gridlock misery

    by DC, almost 4 years ago
    What an absolute shambles, something that is meant to alleviate traffic actually does the complete opposite causing gridlock and misery for local (J8) residents. Effectively making us feel trapped in our own homes. During one community SpeedWatch session at the time of operation Brock over 500 vehicles were recorded traveling in one direction in one hour through the small village of Hollingbourne as drivers desperately searched for alternative routes causing gridlock and mayhem. Many of these vehicles were far too large for these country lanes they were attempting to negotiate causing damage to properties and parked cars and extremely dangerous... Continue reading
    What an absolute shambles, something that is meant to alleviate traffic actually does the complete opposite causing gridlock and misery for local (J8) residents. Effectively making us feel trapped in our own homes. During one community SpeedWatch session at the time of operation Brock over 500 vehicles were recorded traveling in one direction in one hour through the small village of Hollingbourne as drivers desperately searched for alternative routes causing gridlock and mayhem. Many of these vehicles were far too large for these country lanes they were attempting to negotiate causing damage to properties and parked cars and extremely dangerous for pedestrians especially in the areas of the village that are without pathways. With vehicles mounting the pavements and needing to take up both lanes to make the tight bends.
  • Share Operation brock on Facebook Share Operation brock on Twitter Share Operation brock on Linkedin Email Operation brock link

    Operation brock

    by Jackie , almost 4 years ago
    Operation brock had a massive impact on people using the a 20. Lorries and all other traffic becomes grid locked. Blocking junctions and roundabouts. Making it virtually impossible to get in and out of Hollingbourne. And to join the Leeds Road. Which is unfortunately shut on many occasions. The a20 towards Harrietsham is impossible. We then have to continue on the a20 towards Willington Street which always has a heavy flow of traffic. So for us in Hollingbourne and surrounding villages. Is a 15 minute journey. But can take over an hour to get to were we need to be.
    Operation brock had a massive impact on people using the a 20. Lorries and all other traffic becomes grid locked. Blocking junctions and roundabouts. Making it virtually impossible to get in and out of Hollingbourne. And to join the Leeds Road. Which is unfortunately shut on many occasions. The a20 towards Harrietsham is impossible. We then have to continue on the a20 towards Willington Street which always has a heavy flow of traffic. So for us in Hollingbourne and surrounding villages. Is a 15 minute journey. But can take over an hour to get to were we need to be.
  • Share Under siege on Facebook Share Under siege on Twitter Share Under siege on Linkedin Email Under siege link

    Under siege

    by KC, almost 4 years ago

    Take a look at this map of current roadworks (in which Brock is included) in this section of Kent that is the North Downs between Maidstone and Charing. Key villages of Detling, Hollingbourne, Harrietsham and Lenham are hemmed in by major roadworks on the M2 and A249, as well as Brock which pushes the huge amount of non-HGV traffic on to the A20.

    Traffic from Sittingbourne heading towards Maidstone now has a 1-in-3 chance of being routed through unsuitable rural roads such as B2163, by phone-navigation apps such as Waze, Apple Maps, Google Maps etc, just to save 3 minutes... Continue reading

    Take a look at this map of current roadworks (in which Brock is included) in this section of Kent that is the North Downs between Maidstone and Charing. Key villages of Detling, Hollingbourne, Harrietsham and Lenham are hemmed in by major roadworks on the M2 and A249, as well as Brock which pushes the huge amount of non-HGV traffic on to the A20.

    Traffic from Sittingbourne heading towards Maidstone now has a 1-in-3 chance of being routed through unsuitable rural roads such as B2163, by phone-navigation apps such as Waze, Apple Maps, Google Maps etc, just to save 3 minutes journey time. These roads are simply unsuitable - they are village roads designed for farm traffic at most, through conservation areas and often very narrow with non-existent pavements. Walking children to school has come a high risk event, as has moving around these villages for all on foot or cycle.

    These are the North Kent Downs AONB, for heavens sake. UNESCO have identified the area for Global Geopark Status. And Brock is being allowed to take place through this region to the detriment of so many important, beautiful and historic villages including Bearsted, Hollingbourne, Harrietsham and Lenham. There are no controls for the multiples of non-HGVs that are routed onto the A20 (compared to the HGVs on the M20 for which there are controls); for the non-HGVs it is a 'do as you please' approach - and so they do. The sheer volume and (understandable) frustration of these drivers leads them to block roundabouts and roads, preventing people who live in these villages from going about their lives. This contravenes a basic right under the Human Rights Act - the right to peaceful enjoyment of their property.

    Hence these villages are under siege. Shame on KCC and the Kent (lack of) Resilience Forum for letting this happen. Thanks to MBC for raising this consultation, but be clear also that your planning policies and plans (ie allowing the "GENCO Business Park" development at J8 and plans for a horrendous addition of thousands of new houses at Lenham Heath) are massive contributors to destruction of important landscape and degradation of so many peoples' lives.

    KCC, KRF, MBC and Highways England - enough is enough.



  • Share Why Was The M20 Closed ? on Facebook Share Why Was The M20 Closed ? on Twitter Share Why Was The M20 Closed ? on Linkedin Email Why Was The M20 Closed ? link

    Why Was The M20 Closed ?

    by LGD, almost 4 years ago

    On Sunday 24/07 I had to travel to Lydd. I checked and found that the M20 SB was closed from J 8 to J12. I followed the diversion and arrived in Lydd without any issues. On the way home I joined the M20 at J10A expecting to find the whole of the SB carriage ways full of trucks. Nothing for miles then a couple of miles of trucks in the carriage ways allocated to them to J8. There was not a single truck in the contra flow carriage ways ! So why was the M20 closed ? Just seems easier... Continue reading

    On Sunday 24/07 I had to travel to Lydd. I checked and found that the M20 SB was closed from J 8 to J12. I followed the diversion and arrived in Lydd without any issues. On the way home I joined the M20 at J10A expecting to find the whole of the SB carriage ways full of trucks. Nothing for miles then a couple of miles of trucks in the carriage ways allocated to them to J8. There was not a single truck in the contra flow carriage ways ! So why was the M20 closed ? Just seems easier to close the M20 and let everyone in the area suffer.

    Idea ? Hold the trucks outside of Kent, convoy them in and let someone else suffer for a change ? Sadly not a real option..

    L.Drury



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    Utter Madness

    by David Goggins #1, almost 4 years ago
    How long are we going to have to put up with significant and consistent traffic disruption in our county?


    Whether 'Operation Stack' or 'Operation Brock' (why the name change I have no idea), this has been going on for years and has become totally unacceptable.


    How long does it take to come up with a viable alternative?


    Inadequate policing of the other routes that the lorries decide upon leaves local areas overburdened with more traffic than local roads can handle.

    Ludicrous situation.

    How long are we going to have to put up with significant and consistent traffic disruption in our county?


    Whether 'Operation Stack' or 'Operation Brock' (why the name change I have no idea), this has been going on for years and has become totally unacceptable.


    How long does it take to come up with a viable alternative?


    Inadequate policing of the other routes that the lorries decide upon leaves local areas overburdened with more traffic than local roads can handle.

    Ludicrous situation.

  • Share Worsening Air Quality on Facebook Share Worsening Air Quality on Twitter Share Worsening Air Quality on Linkedin Email Worsening Air Quality link

    Worsening Air Quality

    by MJY, almost 4 years ago
    Living in Harrietsham, the impact of noise, unmoving traffic and, most worryingly, deteriorating air quality has a huge impact on our lives and health. Rejoining the EU would amerliorate the situation considerably, but presumably this is beyond the remit of MBC. As well as providing some dedicated lorry parking, better public transport links and cycling infrastructure would help get some of the local transport off the roads and providing some buffer zones of trees and hedging would do a little to improve air quality.
    Living in Harrietsham, the impact of noise, unmoving traffic and, most worryingly, deteriorating air quality has a huge impact on our lives and health. Rejoining the EU would amerliorate the situation considerably, but presumably this is beyond the remit of MBC. As well as providing some dedicated lorry parking, better public transport links and cycling infrastructure would help get some of the local transport off the roads and providing some buffer zones of trees and hedging would do a little to improve air quality.
  • Share Absolute Nightmare on Facebook Share Absolute Nightmare on Twitter Share Absolute Nightmare on Linkedin Email Absolute Nightmare link

    Absolute Nightmare

    by Jan, almost 4 years ago

    Operation Brock is a nightmare and not a solution. I live on the A20 in Lenham and the road has constant slow moving traffic. The noise and pollution is awful and continues through the night too. Travelling through Kent is unbearable with journey times extended and gridlock on local road with people looking for rat-runs to avoid the worst of the traffic. In this heat lorry drivers are stuck without access to food and facilities. Manston is the solution where lorries can parked up and toilet and showering facilities can be made available. lf Manston is not big enough, then... Continue reading

    Operation Brock is a nightmare and not a solution. I live on the A20 in Lenham and the road has constant slow moving traffic. The noise and pollution is awful and continues through the night too. Travelling through Kent is unbearable with journey times extended and gridlock on local road with people looking for rat-runs to avoid the worst of the traffic. In this heat lorry drivers are stuck without access to food and facilities. Manston is the solution where lorries can parked up and toilet and showering facilities can be made available. lf Manston is not big enough, then other dedicated lorry parks need to be constructed urgently. There was talk of one and then it was forgotten. It is essential that the main thoroughfare across Kent remain open in both directions a.s.a.p