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, the hard shoulder and the inside lane of the London-bound carriageway need to be 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.

We have recently discovered that the ground has become very wet on site in one specific location. Additional works are now required to address the ground and surface water issues to make sure the ground is safe and stable so that the permanent works can last.

To ensure the overall project can be delivered safely and on time whilst we address the ground conditions, we have needed to extend our current lane closures from eight miles to 11 miles. This length of closure will only be in place for nine days. Following this, we’ll be switching to two smaller lane closures, the first being 6.5 miles long and the other being one mile long.

Overnight closures

• To extend the current lane closure from eight to 11 miles, the M20 London-bound was closed overnight from 8pm on Saturday 25 February 2023 until 6am on Sunday 26 February 2023.I’d like to apologise that you weren’t notified of this in advance, and I’m sorry for any inconvenience this caused you.

• To change from the one long lane closure to the two shorter ones, the M20 London-bound will be closed from 8pm on Monday 6 March 2023 until 6am on Tuesday 7 March 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 due to finish this spring, at which point we can remove the barrier.

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 athttps://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

Web: http://www.nationalhighways.co.uk

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