Dear Stakeholder,
Following my email on 19 May 2023 to let you know our work on the M20 Moveable Barrier Scheme would be paused due to the Operation Brock contraflow being activated, I now wanted to provide a fuller update on the latest position regarding our scheme.
As you know, we’re working to move the moveable barrier to its permanent position in the central reservation, which will allow quicker deployment of Brock at times of cross channel disruption.
The Christmas and half term deployment of Brock has unfortunately resulted in a delay to the completion of the moveable barrier project by nine weeks. To avoid the need to stand down this work again due to any potential deployment of the M20 Brock contraflow for the summer holidays, we have revised our work schedule. Provided there is no further need to implement Brock before then or any unforeseen circumstances, we intend to now accelerate the works to enable the completion of all the central reservation works over the coming weeks before the summer.
As a result, following the deactivation of the M20 Brock contraflow, we are keeping the moveable barrier in place in lanes 2 and 3 of the London-bound carriageway and have extended it to between J9 and halfway between Junction 8-7. The 50-mph speed restriction will need to remain in place during this time to protect the workforce and travelling public.
Whilst the works area will initially be 13 miles long, this is expected to be reduced by half by the end of June as the works progress.
Having looked at all the options I am confident that this revised plan will be the least disruptive for the travelling public and local communities with works being carried out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will also utilise the lane closure to carry out other routine maintenance activities such as vegetation clearance, signage and drainage maintenance, reducing the need for further closures in the future.
I do appreciate that this work has been ongoing for some time, particularly given the need to postpone it whilst we’ve had to deploy the Operation Brock contraflow system several times in the last year. However, once the work is finished it will improve safety along this stretch of road and enable us to deploy the barrier more easily when needed. I am grateful for your patience whilst we complete this final stage.
You can 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/.
Yours faithfully,
Gary Jeans
Project Manager
National Highways | Bridge House | 1 Walnut Tree Close | Guildford | GU1 4LZ
Web: http://www.nationalhighways.co.uk
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