Dear stakeholder
M20 Moveable Barrier: project update
As you’re aware, we’re in a process of adapting the central reservation between junctions 8 and 9 to make it suitable for storing the Operation Brock moveable barrier. The barrier is currently stored on the hard shoulder when not in use, but this isn’t suitable as a permanent storage location.
We’re currently working on the London-bound verge, so to protect our workforce and the travelling public, we have two separate sections where the hard shoulder and the inside lane of the London-bound carriageway are closed alongside where we’re working, using the moveable barrier as our safety barrier as we’ve been doing throughout. A 50-mph speed restriction is also in place.
The first section, close to junction 9, is one mile long. This is where we’re working to address ground and surface water issues to make sure the ground is safe and stable so that the permanent works can last. This piece of work is due to finish in early June 2023.
The second section, close to junction 8, is currently 6.5 miles long. We will be extending this closure by two miles to allow us to replace the current verge hardening material with the same material that we’ve used between junctions 9 and 8. This extension will take the closure further London-bound past junction 8. We will however have gaps in the barrier to allow the junction 8 entry and exit slip roads to remain open. This additional length of closure will be in place for approximately three weeks.
To extend the barrier safely, the following overnight closures will be required.
Overnight closures
- The M20 London-bound will be closed:
- From 8pm on Monday 17 April until 6am on Tuesday 18 April 2023
- From 8pm on Tuesday 18 April until 6am on Wednesday 19 April 2023
Diversion route: A clearly signed diversion route will be in place taking traffic along the coastbound M20, the coastbound A20 towards Dover, then along the A2, London-bound M2 and crossing back to the M20 at J7 via the A249.
We’re very sorry about any inconvenience or delay that may be caused by this change.
Our London-bound verge work is still on track to finish during spring 2023.
From then until late summer there will be some finishing work to complete, which will require some lane closures. All our timings are subject to change depending on any future deployments of the Brock contraflow system.
As ever, our dates are subject to change. You can check the National Highways closure report which is updated daily with the latest information: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/daily-closure-report/.
You can also find all the latest information on our Twitter feed, Facebook page, and the traffic information pages of our website at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/.
I apologise for any disruption this may cause you and would like to thank you for your cooperation whilst we carry out this work.
Yours faithfully,
Gary Jeans
Project Manager
National Highways | Bridge House | 1 Walnut Tree Close | Guildford | GU1 4LZ
