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Motorists using a in the UK have been issued an urgent warning as new traffic measures are to be installed ahead of the busy . The will be closed between Maidstone and Ashford overnight on Wednesday, May 21, from 8pm, to allow the Operation Brock contraflow to be put in place before reopening at 6am on Thursday, May 22.

The contraflow system will be put in place along a 13-mile section of the M20 between Junctions 8 (Maidstone) and 9 (Ashford), reports . anticipates that traffic is likely to peak over this weekend as many drivers are likely to head to Kent ports. Operation Brock is one of several initiatives implemented to improve regional traffic flow, and it is frequently used to ease congestion near the English Channel.

National Highways explained that diversion routes will be displayed to help drivers. It said: "These times have been chosen to minimise disruption to road users and ensure the roads are suitable for the traffic."

When the M20 reopens, the contraflow system will be in effect, and drivers must adhere to all signage.

Once the barrier is set up, all HGVs en route to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel will be required to follow the signs that direct them to join Operation Brock at M20 Junction 8.

National Highways said: "When there's any sort of disruption in the channel, HGV traffic on the M20 heading for the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel has nowhere to go.

"Brock is a contraflow that can be set up overnight. It separates traffic into different lanes across both carriageways and keeps the M20 and other local roads open and moving.

"It means, once the contraflow is in, if you're on the M20 but not going to the port or the Eurotunnel, you can continue your journey as normal. At the same time, it helps control how port-bound HGVs make their way to the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel."

Simon Jones, Kent and Medway Resilience Forum Strategic Lead for border disruption, said: "If Op Brock is not in use and there are delays at the Port of Dover, this has a knock-on effect on the surrounding roads - causing unjustified disruption to local communities.

"This decision is not taken lightly and is informed by data which tells us we are very likely to see increased traffic heading to Europe."