Controversial speed limits on the M20 will remain in place until the UK reaches a Brexit deal, the minister in charge said today.

The system, which has brought in a 50mph limit between junctions 8 and 9 on the M20, was introduced in February to cope with potentially huge queues of lorries at the Port of Dover if Britain left the EU without a deal.

The lower speed limit is part of Operation Brock, which would see a contraflow put in place on stretch of motorway, with lorries parked on one carriageway and traffic moving in both directions no the other.

WATCH: Brexit Minister makes Dover pledge

It was lifted in April but the speed limit remains in place.

On a visit to Dover, the Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay said: "I appreciate people's frustrations but it is important that we have a system in place that we can scale back up as and when it is needed.

"The best way to avoid disruption is to have a deal which allows us to leave in an orderly fashion.

"But if we were to leave without a deal it is important that we have resilience plans in place."

Asked about the government's willingness to ensure that money spent on Brexit plans were picked up nationally he said: "We have already allocated money to Kent Police and there is contingency spending available and there is a process for that.

"But of course where there are particular issues in a part of the country we will look at that."

He said that the message from voters who had backed Nigel Farage's Brexit party was that they wanted the government to "get on with it so we can focus on domestic issues."

On the issue of a no-deal Brexit, Mr Barclay said he would be prepared to accept that as it would be the best way of honouring what voters had called for in the referendum.

He told KentOnline: "If Parliament does not approve a deal then we have a choice of one or two alternatives: one is to not leave at all which I think would be a betrayal of what people wanted in the referendum or leave with no deal.

"In a choice between no deal at all or leaving without a deal then personally I think the best thing is to leave without a deal."

On his visit the minister had briefings with border officials and hauliers' representatives.

He also ruled out becoming a contender for the party leadership.

WATCH: M20 barriers remain in place until Brexit deal is found

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said he had raised with the minister the case for the UK signing up to the Transit Convention to ensure delays at the Channel ports were minimised: “I again underlined how we must be ready on day one to leave the EU deal or no deal.

"The Transit Convention means we won’t need any hold-ups at the port. We need to take advantage of that.

"It’s essential we step up no deal preparations – so we are completely ready for anything that happens."

Police chiefs in Kent earlier said dealing with the impact of a 'no-deal' Brexit on the county could have cost nearly £20 million over just three months.

The force was later given another cash injection of £3.5m to deal with the impact of Brexit on the county.

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