Organisations in Kent have been told to stand down contingency plans for a no-deal Brexit, which could mean the removal of the M20 barrier.

The Kent Resilience Forum, which includes Kent County Council (KCC) and Kent Police, has been working closely with the government to prepare for a range of potential outcomes in the lead up to January 31, such as travel disruption on the county's roads.

This includes a contraflow barrier being installed between junction 9 for Ashford and junction 8 for Leeds Castle in February as part of Operation Brock, to ensure the motorway could be kept open to traffic and that disruption for residents, businesses and other road users was kept to a minimum in a no-deal scenario.

But it has meant delay and frustration for drivers, with a 50mph speed limit on two narrow lanes.

However, the forum has now been officially advised by the government that "the likelihood of a ‘no-deal’ scenario has decreased."

So the steel barrier which has caused so many problems for commuters could soon disappear.

Highways England, who is responsible for installing and removing the barrier, said: “Ensuring the smooth flow of traffic through Kent is a top priority and we are keeping the deployment of Operation Brock under continual review.

"We are in constant contact with the government and our partners in Kent about when and how the Operation Brock barrier should be removed and will have more information soon."

Ashford MP Damian Green, made his views on the barrier very clear last month.

He said: "Now there is a majority in parliament for the Brexit deal, there is no need for precautions against no deal and this barrier was one of those.

"We have removed the immediate threat of a no deal and I will be insistent on removing it if highways argues it should be left.

"We have had it all this year and there is no reason why it should stay once the legislation has gone through early in the new year.

"By the end of January, I want highways to take down the barrier between junctions 8 and 9."

In regards to the update, Mr Green said: "The first thing I want is a commitment from Highways England that they will be removing it. Then we can discuss the timetable, although four weeks sounds a long time to me."

Ashford Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) supports Mr Green's stance.

He says now is the time to remove the "ridiculous" barrier as there is no chance of a no-deal Brexit until December 31 next year - when the Brexit transition period comes to an end.

Highways England added that the steel barrier takes four weeks to put out and four weeks to take in again so, considering this, it may be a little while after the Brexit deadline when the barrier is removed.

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