A section of the M20 motorway from Dover is partitioned off for freight and heavy goods vehicles today (March 25) as the Government trials plans for a possible 'No-Deal' Brexit. 

The plan is named 'Operation Brock' and is designed to ease congestion on the main motorway between Dover and London (M20) in the event of long queues from Dover should the UK leave the European Union (EU) without a withdrawal agreement. 

The scheme grants exclusive access for commercial freight lorries and other heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) by partioning a section of the M20 motorway from Dover. 

Today, two lanes of the coastal highway between Maidstone (Junction 8) and Ashford (Junction 9) were corderned off with steel barricades and only accessible for commercial freight vehicles as the government's heavily publicized contraflow plans were practiced. 

Highways England said Monday: "A contraflow is in place in #Kent on the #M20 between J8 and J9 as part of #OperationBrock. Lorries heading for the ports should use the coastbound carriageway from J8 at #Maidstone, with a contraflow in place on the London-bound carriageway for non-port bound freight & other traffic."

The HGVs travelling to Europe will be routed down the highway at 30mph, the Government said, in order to manage a steady flow of traffic. 

All other traffic will be directed on London-bound carriageways at 50mp, with two lanes open in each direction. 

Highways England project director John Kerner said:

"Operation Brock strengthens this resilience even further and offers a safe, scalable response to disruption that can be used to queue up to 11,000 lorries heading for mainland Europe, while keeping other traffic flowing for people living, working and travelling in and around Kent."

With the failure to win approval for her nehgotiated settlement to leave the European Union (EU) so far, Prime Minister Theresa May and her government have been forced to draw up a series of contigency plans in the event of a disruptive 'No Deal' scenario. 

The deadline for exiting the EU had been set for later this week (March 29), but has since been delayed by EU and UK negotiators to May 22.

For more information about Operation Brock go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/operation-brock-ready-for-action?utm_source=452f0d88-0cc2-4c8c-8d56-50df7a881885&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate