Operationbrock

[New Judge]

On Monday morning half the M20 will be shut to traffic other than freight until further notice. Other traffic will have to use a contra-flow system between junctions 8 and 9. Have the people allegedly running this country gone completely Deolali? There is not a chance of us leaving the EU next week and when we do leave it will be under a "deal" which will see virtually no difference whatsoever. So why shut half the M20 next Monday morning?

https://highwaysengland.co.uk/OperationBrock/

[Prudie]

Why is it called Operation Brock? At first I thought you were going to say it was closed to allow a family of badgers to move home (before they were pointlessly culled to (NOT) reduce TB but that's another thread),

[Rationalist]

This is more recent:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/weekend-work-to-activate-operation-brock

I guess because there is still a possibility that the UK might leave the EU next week and Highways England still needs to prepare.

The aim is to keep the M20 running despite long queues of trucks.

From the above link,
"Three lanes in each direction could be restored, with a 50mph limit, if Operation Brock is assessed as unlikely to be required in the following weeks."

[david small]

Yes, NJ the inmates are running the asylum called the U.K. helplessly we watch and wonder, what next?

[Buenchico]

Operation Brock is, as the successor to Operation Stack, designed to cope with any major disruption to cross-channel traffic. (e.g. it's just as much about being ready if the dockworkers in Calais go on strike as it is about possible Brexit-related problems).

It makes sense to test the robustness of the plans before any such disruption actually takes place.

[Mamyalynne]

Makes absolute sense to be ready to roll it out when needed rather than a last minute panic job.

[malagabob]

They’ve had over 2 years to test it Mamy, not a week before.

[Buenchico]

>>> They’ve had over 2 years to test it

It was tested earlier this year, with some failings being identified. The new test is to see how the revised plans will work.

[douglas9401]

It's a typo, due to the employment of Sammy Li as press officer.

It's Operation Block.

[ElleD101]

Yes, the people allegedly running this country has gone completely Deolali!

[emmie]

so it would seem NJ.

[Mamyalynne]

Must be those who like to live on the edge who don't approve of testing the scheme.

[gulliver1]

And we have not even left the E/U yet.OMG.