Contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit led to the closure of the M26 in Kent last week for works to allow the motorway to be used as a temporary lorry park in future. Local MP Tom Tugendhat confronted Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in the House of Commons about the works, which he said had begun “with no consultation”.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
“I wrote to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State in April to ask whether this was going to happen, and I was assured that works were not planned,” the MP added.
Chris Grayling responded that he would be happy to meet the MP to discuss the matter, and added: “I do not expect any of the contingencies that we have in place for a no-deal Brexit to be needed, because I am confident that we will reach a sensible agreement.”
The M26 was closed for three nights – Wednesday to Friday – and reopened at 6am on Saturday morning, Highways England confirmed.
This came after the strategic road network operator was instructed by the Department for Transport to develop plans to increase lorry holding capacity on the motorway, which could be used in the event of cross channel disruption post-Brexit.
“We will be undertaking site surveys on the M26 during October leading to the installation of two gates in the central reserve to support the safe management of freight in the future, if needed,” a Highways England spokesman said.
“The work is to install crossover points in the central reserve which can be used to direct traffic onto the opposite carriageway.”
Further night time closures are expected to go ahead between 19 November and 21 December to complete the works.
Tom Tugendhat said in a statement on his Tonbridge & Malling constituency website: “Closing the M26 would cause chaos across Borough Green, Platt, Ightham and the surrounding area and I am doing all I can to force the Department for Transport and Highways England to take into account the views of local residents. After all, we live here so will be the most affected.”
Alongside the M26 works, plans are also being taken forward to ease congestion on the M20 in the event of disruption at Dover by allowing two way traffic to travel in contraflow on the northbound carriageway while lorries are parked on the coastbound route.
This so called ‘Operation Brock’ is said to be complementary to Operation Stack, and could be ready to bring into effect by March.
Image credit: Highways England
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
{{item.AuthorName}} {{item.AuthorName}} says on {{item.DateFormattedString}}: