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Written question asked by Sojan Joseph (Labour) on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 (named day). It was answered by Keir Mather (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

M20: Road Traffic Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department is having with the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, National Highways, and other stakeholders on eliminating the need for the deployment of Operation Brock to be deployed on the M20.

Answer

The department continues to work closely with the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, National Highways, Kent County Council, and other local partners to ensure that traffic management arrangements in Kent remain effective, proportionate and responsive to changing risks.

Operation Brock remains a contingency measure designed to protect the strategic road network, maintain access for local communities and businesses, and support the continued flow of freight through the Short Straits during periods of disruption. Decisions on its deployment are kept under regular review through established multi-agency arrangements, led locally by the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, so that Brock is used only where it is necessary and proportionate.

The government recognises the impact that Operation Brock can have on road users and communities in Kent and is committed to working with partners to reduce that impact wherever possible. The department, National Highways and local partners are actively considering longer-term options that could lessen reliance on queuing HGVs on the M20, including approaches that make better use of technology to manage freight movements and provide greater resilience through off-road holding capacity.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17580
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Road traffic control M20
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk