Work has started on installing a movable barrier on the M20 between junctions 11 and 12 to reduce delays caused by Operation Stack.
The Highways Agency, the government body responsible for maintaining the UKs motorways, began installing the barrier on May 13th 2008.
The work is part of a plan to create a contraflow along the motorway to keep two lanes open when Stack is in place - avoiding the need to divert motorists onto the A20.
In recent months the Highways Agency has built a number of emergency gates into the central reservation to allow police to funnel off traffic from the M20 in the event of a serious crash.
Minister for roads, Tom Harris, said the barrier would pay an important part in reducing the effect of phase one of Stack. Installing this new movable barrier will help ease that disruption while the Highways Agency continue to work with Kent County Council, the police and other partners to help find a longer term solution.
The work will last for 14 weeks and be carried out around the clock to prevent further delays; a 50 mph limit will be in force.
At least two lanes will remain open between 6am and 8pm each day, though oficials have warned that this may involve use of the hard shoulder and the closure of entry and exit slip roads on certain dates.
'Operation Stack' was created on: 28-05-2008