Highways England and Department for Transport (DfT) have selected a new scheme to deploy a moveable barrier on the M20 to reduce road congestions in Kent, UK, during contraflow operations.

The new technology involves using a specialist vehicle to install a moveable barrier on the road in a few hours.

It is expected to cause less traffic disruption compared to Operation Brock, which requires month-long overnight motorway closures to deploy the metal barrier required for the contraflow system.

Additionally, the new system will help in avoiding M20 motorway closures during disruptions or maintenance works.

Such moveable barriers are already in use in cities such as Auckland, Sydney, San Francisco and Vancouver.

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “After listening to frustrated residents and businesses affected by operations Brock and Stack, we’ve invested in a new solution to boost Kent’s resilience and keep its vital road network moving, even at times of disruption.

“This state-of-the-art technology can be deployed quickly, simply and safely, ensuring motorists across the county can get to where they need to be with minimum fuss, whatever the circumstances.”

The moveable barrier technology is expected to be on standby from later this year.

In another development, the DfT agreed to invest £17m in the A2300 improvement scheme. The project will help in reducing traffic jams in West Sussex.

Earlier this week, the UK Government awarded a £1.5m investment in three road trial projects. These projects seek to reduce road congestion by utilising traffic data.