How does Operation Brock impact you?
Consultation has concluded.
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
-
Share Who doesn't suffer...?? on Facebook Share Who doesn't suffer...?? on Twitter Share Who doesn't suffer...?? on Linkedin Email Who doesn't suffer...?? link
Who doesn't suffer...??
by CH, over 3 years agoI live in PH area of Maidstone & work in Ashford; my journey time & fuel consumption have dramatically increased. Every day in either direction; I get stopped by a breakdown or accident or slowed down by a wide load taking up both lanes. Some people drive under the 50mph limit (breaking when they hit the speed cameras!!) and others drive at 70mph (mainly HGV's & coaches) it really is awful to drive along. I feel for the people down the A20 so I try not to use it. I don't bother using the motorway at the weekends as I... Continue reading
I live in PH area of Maidstone & work in Ashford; my journey time & fuel consumption have dramatically increased. Every day in either direction; I get stopped by a breakdown or accident or slowed down by a wide load taking up both lanes. Some people drive under the 50mph limit (breaking when they hit the speed cameras!!) and others drive at 70mph (mainly HGV's & coaches) it really is awful to drive along. I feel for the people down the A20 so I try not to use it. I don't bother using the motorway at the weekends as I can't stand this anymore. I have family just outside of Folkestone that I haven't been to visit in ages.
Drivers use any back road to avoid the motorway & queuing which impacts anyone living in Maidstone Trying to move around the town; especially if the motorway shuts is gridlock hell - my worst time was 1hr 45mins to get from PH to Grove Green; total joke!
From a work perspective; it causes so many issues for the business. We import fresh produce & then supply the supermarkets. We suffer constant delays; which impacts both us & our customers.
A solution has to be sorted & soon. We can't continue like this forever.
-
Share Free Kent from the tyranny of Operation Brock! on Facebook Share Free Kent from the tyranny of Operation Brock! on Twitter Share Free Kent from the tyranny of Operation Brock! on Linkedin Email Free Kent from the tyranny of Operation Brock! link
Free Kent from the tyranny of Operation Brock!
by Peter Sullivan , over 3 years agoOperation Brock is a calamity, however you look at it. Local residents are facing multifaceted negatives. We are impacted upon by the traffic, which switches to local roads, in terms of pollution, cost (it takes longer to get everywhere so you are burning more fuel), unable to use our single track local roads because impacted traffic is redirected, by their SatNavs, on to roads that are not able to cope. We have huge articulated lorries trying to get up lanes that can barely cope with a transit van.
it takes longer to get everywhere, and sometimes it is almost impossible... Continue readingOperation Brock is a calamity, however you look at it. Local residents are facing multifaceted negatives. We are impacted upon by the traffic, which switches to local roads, in terms of pollution, cost (it takes longer to get everywhere so you are burning more fuel), unable to use our single track local roads because impacted traffic is redirected, by their SatNavs, on to roads that are not able to cope. We have huge articulated lorries trying to get up lanes that can barely cope with a transit van.
it takes longer to get everywhere, and sometimes it is almost impossible to get anywhere, resulting in missed appointments etc. Deliveries and workman can’t get to us so that has to all be rescheduledThe environmental impact on residents has yet to be quantified, but it is certainly going to a huge negative. More CO2 spewed into the air impacting upon, humans, wildlife and flora; human waste by the side of the motorway, because the lorry drivers have no facilities is a source of disease etc etc
Local business losing money caused by heavy traffic and gridlock.
Absolutely NO thought is given to the impact on local residents in the Government’s dogmatic desire to get holidaymakers off for their 2 weeks in the sun. All the narrative is about how we must help the holiday makers so they can relax and unwind “everybody deserves a break, it’s good for our mental health”. What about local residents mental health and well being? Brock was supposed to be a temporary measure. It’s almost a permanent fixture now and there is no respite for us.
We are the “front line state” for people entering the country illegally; we have Brock, we have the worst water shortages in the country. When will the Government put in the infrastructure to alleviate the problems of local people in Kent? Certainly not in the short term, because they are so busy “ levelling up” the North. The Conservatives depend on the South East of England to keep them in power. Instead of making gains in the Red Wall, you want start worrying about losing your Blue Wall.
Free Kent from the tyranny of Operation Brock!
-
Share Visits to Dover on Facebook Share Visits to Dover on Twitter Share Visits to Dover on Linkedin Email Visits to Dover link
Visits to Dover
by Ginny Gee, over 3 years agoWe live in Kingswood, trying to get to Dover is a nightmare. Our optician, osteopath and family are in the Dover area and planned visits to all three have had to be cancelled due to the closure of the M20 plus Operation Brock. Plus the aggravation of the hot weather we are both over 70 and can’t manage being caught up in unforeseen traffic holdups, goodness only knows how the lorry drivers cope.We live in Kingswood, trying to get to Dover is a nightmare. Our optician, osteopath and family are in the Dover area and planned visits to all three have had to be cancelled due to the closure of the M20 plus Operation Brock. Plus the aggravation of the hot weather we are both over 70 and can’t manage being caught up in unforeseen traffic holdups, goodness only knows how the lorry drivers cope. -
Share Muddled management of a know problem on Facebook Share Muddled management of a know problem on Twitter Share Muddled management of a know problem on Linkedin Email Muddled management of a know problem link
Muddled management of a know problem
by Ron Smith, over 3 years agoMuddled management of a know problem, it was known in advance that the first weekend of the school holidays would be busy, but it was left to the first day of the weekend to admit there was a problem. What do we pay these people for? Running the County/Country! To add insult to injury why not have roadworks on the main diversion via the A20 at Charing on the very day it started? Der? Why not have this done during the autumn/winter. pretty simple, but no one thought of it. Oh, lets dig up all surrounding rat runs so no... Continue reading
Muddled management of a know problem, it was known in advance that the first weekend of the school holidays would be busy, but it was left to the first day of the weekend to admit there was a problem. What do we pay these people for? Running the County/Country! To add insult to injury why not have roadworks on the main diversion via the A20 at Charing on the very day it started? Der? Why not have this done during the autumn/winter. pretty simple, but no one thought of it. Oh, lets dig up all surrounding rat runs so no locals can move either. The roads in Kent have long been deteriorating with very little money spent on them. Every rural road in the county needs reinstating up to standards that do not ruin car suspensions, cause cyclists to fall off, have no capacity to accept 44ton vehicles, yet this is allowed to continue. Farms should not be allowed vehicles over 18ton to visit their farms. Costa of farm access roads should be Bourne by the farms, not the council. If they cant afford to maintain the roads, then do not have large vehicle access. These roads were just farm tracks, ie mud roads with no foundations and just 'top dressing ' layer over the mud. Hence all the potholes, frost gets under the top surface and become huge potholes create by the trucks. Why do farms not instruct large vehicles the best way into their farms? Why do they allow these 44ton lorries travel down 8'6'' roads? All because their foreign sat naps take them that way. Can they read weight limits, can they read signs, any signs.
-
Share Everyone suffers on Facebook Share Everyone suffers on Twitter Share Everyone suffers on Linkedin Email Everyone suffers link
Everyone suffers
by MJ, over 3 years agoIn 2022, it is shocking that this makeshift solution of freight traffic has been allowed to go on. Up until recently, I had to travel from Maidstone to Ashford to visit my mum, and was always aghast at the drivers rubbish in the verges of the roads. Seeing large plastic bottles of urine was the norm, coupled with all sorts of other rubbish. The problem is, the drivers are not at fault, they have a job to do, like us all, but are treated like animals, with next to no facilities while they are forced to wait in these long... Continue readingIn 2022, it is shocking that this makeshift solution of freight traffic has been allowed to go on. Up until recently, I had to travel from Maidstone to Ashford to visit my mum, and was always aghast at the drivers rubbish in the verges of the roads. Seeing large plastic bottles of urine was the norm, coupled with all sorts of other rubbish. The problem is, the drivers are not at fault, they have a job to do, like us all, but are treated like animals, with next to no facilities while they are forced to wait in these long queues on the M20. We need to build one huge lorry park off the M20 with good facilities for drivers so they can be drip fed to the ports. I frequently went past the Inland border facility in Ashford which always looked empty!! Why is that not used more? It seems like everyone are the losers with this current arrangement. -
Share Does there even need to be a survey? This surely negatively affects any motorist from Maidstone to M20 East? on Facebook Share Does there even need to be a survey? This surely negatively affects any motorist from Maidstone to M20 East? on Twitter Share Does there even need to be a survey? This surely negatively affects any motorist from Maidstone to M20 East? on Linkedin Email Does there even need to be a survey? This surely negatively affects any motorist from Maidstone to M20 East? link
Does there even need to be a survey? This surely negatively affects any motorist from Maidstone to M20 East?
by Sean, over 3 years agoWhy is the south east of Kent expected to carry this burden every month or so? It (obviously) impacts travel but also trade, quality of life, damage to roads-unlikely to be repaired promptly as well as the rubbish strewn in it's wake (unlikely to be collected). Junction 8 and all around Bearsted grinds to a halt when the A20 becomes gridlocked. How come we are so powerless?This cannot continue to impact Kent citizens with no future plan nor recompense to Highways Agencies and Councils.
Why is the south east of Kent expected to carry this burden every month or so? It (obviously) impacts travel but also trade, quality of life, damage to roads-unlikely to be repaired promptly as well as the rubbish strewn in it's wake (unlikely to be collected). Junction 8 and all around Bearsted grinds to a halt when the A20 becomes gridlocked. How come we are so powerless?This cannot continue to impact Kent citizens with no future plan nor recompense to Highways Agencies and Councils.
-
Share Dangerous Contraflow on Facebook Share Dangerous Contraflow on Twitter Share Dangerous Contraflow on Linkedin Email Dangerous Contraflow link
Dangerous Contraflow
by Hutchmo, over 3 years agoI do not use the M20 when Brock is in place.
I have found that when travelling westbound and sticking to the speed limit I am frequently harassed by a foreign truck driver inches from my rear bumper trying to force me to go faster. The truck driver knows he won't be prosecuted for speeding. This is no fun in a Fiat Panda! The resulting danger means that I choose to use the A20.
I cannot access the M20 eastbound from junction 8 and junction 7 is out of my way, so I choose to use the A20.
There seems... Continue reading
I do not use the M20 when Brock is in place.
I have found that when travelling westbound and sticking to the speed limit I am frequently harassed by a foreign truck driver inches from my rear bumper trying to force me to go faster. The truck driver knows he won't be prosecuted for speeding. This is no fun in a Fiat Panda! The resulting danger means that I choose to use the A20.
I cannot access the M20 eastbound from junction 8 and junction 7 is out of my way, so I choose to use the A20.
There seems to be frequent accidents in the contraflow and when this happens all traffic comes to a standstill often for an extended period with drivers trapped on the motorway. For this reason I choose to use the A20.
When the A20 becomes congested I can take to the country lanes to avoid the holdup. My additional use of the A20 and the country lanes is a nuisance for the local users who have no choice but to use them and it seriously affects the quality of life of residents. Unfortunately I feel that I have no choice due to the unacceptable risk of using the M20.
-
Share Brick mess on Facebook Share Brick mess on Twitter Share Brick mess on Linkedin Email Brick mess link
Brick mess
by Frustrated traveler , over 3 years agoThe highways agency who are presumably responsible for Brock have decided to use the M20 motorway between junction 7 and 8 as a fly tipping area for unwanted rusty sign supports and cones if a private company did this they would be fined the garden of England is not the place for thisI use this road daily and the closure of Junction 8 causes more grief to my than anything on my journey it is not thought out and unnecessary
I live in south Maidstone and need to travel to Ashford regularlyThe highways agency who are presumably responsible for Brock have decided to use the M20 motorway between junction 7 and 8 as a fly tipping area for unwanted rusty sign supports and cones if a private company did this they would be fined the garden of England is not the place for thisI use this road daily and the closure of Junction 8 causes more grief to my than anything on my journey it is not thought out and unnecessary
I live in south Maidstone and need to travel to Ashford regularly -
Share Can’t carry on on Facebook Share Can’t carry on on Twitter Share Can’t carry on on Linkedin Email Can’t carry on link
Can’t carry on
by MrsM, over 3 years agoLiving in Lenham and working in Maidstone this should be a 20/25 minute journey, whilst brock is on the journey (mainly home) could be anything from 40 minutes to over an hour. And MBC want to build 5000 homes at Lenham Heath adding goodness knows how many more cars to the A20! Unbelievable. KCC, MBC and highways need to realise the A20 cannot sustain the levels of traffic expected when brock is in place.
Living in Lenham and working in Maidstone this should be a 20/25 minute journey, whilst brock is on the journey (mainly home) could be anything from 40 minutes to over an hour. And MBC want to build 5000 homes at Lenham Heath adding goodness knows how many more cars to the A20! Unbelievable. KCC, MBC and highways need to realise the A20 cannot sustain the levels of traffic expected when brock is in place.
-
Share Brock - what a pain!! on Facebook Share Brock - what a pain!! on Twitter Share Brock - what a pain!! on Linkedin Email Brock - what a pain!! link
Brock - what a pain!!
by Steve.south@hotmail.co.uk , over 3 years agoWe live in Maidstone. Our daughter lives in Ashford and my mother lives at Dymchurch. We visit both regularly each week and have been affected every time we make the journeys to see them by the restrictions on the M20. On one occasion Junction 8 was actually closed off on the motorway and we couldn't even get onto the A20 due to the amount of traffic. We therefore had to cancel our visit to my mum very annoyingly. I would also add a real concern for those poor lorry drivers caught up in the madness. StWe live in Maidstone. Our daughter lives in Ashford and my mother lives at Dymchurch. We visit both regularly each week and have been affected every time we make the journeys to see them by the restrictions on the M20. On one occasion Junction 8 was actually closed off on the motorway and we couldn't even get onto the A20 due to the amount of traffic. We therefore had to cancel our visit to my mum very annoyingly. I would also add a real concern for those poor lorry drivers caught up in the madness. St
Results
A total of 366 people took part in the quick poll, which asked: ‘What impact has Operation Brock had on your life’. More than nine in ten respondents said that Operation Brock had negatively impacted their lives.
A full summary of the results of the consultation can be viewed here.
What is Operation Brock?
Operation Brock is the traffic management system in Kent, put in place when there is cross-channel disruption.
Operation Brock occurs on the M20 between junctions 8 (Hollingbourne) and 9 (Ashford). The default operation is that all EU-bound freight must use the coastbound carriageway, where it may be held, whilst the London-bound carriageway has a contraflow with two-way traffic for all other vehicles.
If Operation Brock exceeds capacity (around 2,000 HGVs), the coastbound carriageway and the coastbound contraflow may be used to hold EU-bound HGVs. The M20 is closed from junction 8 to 9 to all other traffic, which is diverted to use the A20. In this over-capacity situation, the M20 between junctions 10A (Sevington) and 11 (Stanford) may also be closed and used to hold EU-bound HGVs, with the A20 becoming the diversion for all other traffic.
Quick Polls
Consultation has concluded.
Project Status
-
Open
How does Operation Brock impact you? has finished this stageThis consultation is open for contributions.
-
Under Review
How does Operation Brock impact you? has finished this stageContributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
-
Final report
How does Operation Brock impact you? is currently at this stageThe final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
Contact
For queries or questions relating to this consultation please email: consultation@maidstone.gov.uk