Lorry drivers infuriated by the latest implementation of the unpopular Operation Brock traffic scheme have now been told they risk a £60 fine for sounding their horns on a 1.3km stretch of the coastbound A20.
In a press release sent out to trans.iNFO this morning, National Highways revealed that it is to trial a ‘quiet zone’ on the A20 near Aycliffe in Kent “in a bid to reduce noise pollution when the A20 TAP is holding cross channel freight heading to the Port of Dover”.
As explained by National Highways, the ‘quiet zone’ will run along a 1.3km stretch of the coastbound A20 leading up to the Port of Dover from the Courtwood interchange to Western Heights roundabout.
HGV drivers “will be informed” that they should not use their horns between 11:30am and 7am.
Commenting on the introduction of the new measure, Nicky Potts, National Highways Head of Operational Integration, said:
“We understand that when there is disruption at the port, residents of Aycliffe can often be disturbed by lorry drivers who are queuing in TAP along the A20. In particular, when they use horns during the night which can keep people awake. Whilst we look at broader solutions, we have agreed we will implement a ‘quiet zone’ along the A20 leading up to the Port which will run throughout the summer deployment of Operation Brock.”
National Highways says that from the end of this week signs will be in place along the A20 to inform drivers of the ‘quiet zone’. The news will also be shared with haulage groups and ferry operators. In addition to this, Kent police will be there to “provide additional visibility and where necessary, enforcement”.
National Highways says that any HGVs not complying with the signage “risk a fine of £60″.
The £60 fines for violating the new quiet zone rules come on top of the £300 fines for trying to avoid Operation Brock itself. Any EU-bound HGVs not complying with signage and trying to use another route to Eurotunnel or the Port of Dover risk a fine of £300. Moreover, they will also be sent to the back of the queue by police or enforcement agents, which National Highways stresses will waste time, fuel, and money. This, adds National Highways, includes trying to bypass the M20 by using the M2/A2 at Brenley Corner.
The news is set to further infuriate lorry drivers frustrated by the delays the Operation Brock system causes, not to mention the growing list of offences they can be fined for.
