Kent County Council (KCC) has secured £20 million of government funding for a major scheme at the Port of Dover which is expected to dramatically reduce the need for Operation Brock and ease congestion across Kent’s road network.

The Dover Border Access Improvement Project (DBAIP) is the culmination of several years of work led by KCC alongside the Department for Transport and the Port of Dover to tackle longstanding traffic issues at the UK’s busiest international ferry port. The improvements are expected to reduce the frequency and duration of Operation Brock and Dover TAP by up to 80% during normal operations.

The border control facilities within the Port’s eastern docks will be reconfigured to create additional space for border processing booths and increase the Port’s capacity for vehicle queuing for the equivalent of more than 500 lorries. The scheme is expected to help keep traffic within the Port itself, reducing the impact on the A20, M20 and surrounding road network.

KCC secured the £20 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) through the Levelling Up Fund to enable the scheme to proceed, alongside investment from the Port of Dover. The funding follows sustained work by the Council to develop and champion a long-term solution to cross-Channel traffic disruption in the county.

The scheme has been developed through a partnership led by KCC, working closely with the DfT and Dover Harbour Board to address to address the traffic pressures that have affected Dover and Kent’s wider road network for many years. The Port of Dover will now deliver the improvement works.

The scheme is expected to significantly reduce the frequency and duration of Operation Brock and Dover TAP traffic management measures, by up to 80% during normal operations. While these controls will still be required in some circumstances, such as during severe weather, industrial action in France or ferry operational issues, the improvements are expected to reduce the need for emergency traffic management when demand exceeds the Port’s capacity. Residents and business in Dover should benefit from less traffic congestion and delays, helping to support the local economy.

Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at KCC, said:

“KCC has worked relentlessly with government and the Port of Dover to develop a lasting solution, and we successfully secured £20 million of funding to make it happen.”

(Picture: Kent County Council)