Large stretches of the M20 are set to be closed as part of work for Operation Brock - with diversions being put in place.

The motorway will be shut overnight this weekend between Ashford and Maidstone.

It follows several similar closures in recent weeks enforced in order for major repair works on a bridge.

The latest closure is needed so National Highways can adapt the central reservation running down the centre of the motorway, between Junction 8 and 9, to make it suitable for storing the Operation Brock moveable barrier.

A spokesman from KCC Highways said: "Currently the barrier is stored on the hard shoulder when it's not in use which was only ever a temporary place to keep it."

The M20 will be closed London-bound between Junction 9 for Ashford, and Junction 8 for Leeds Castle from 8pm on Saturday, November 12, until 6am on Sunday, November 13.

A signed diversion route will be in place on the A20, and over-height vehicles should use the A2, M2 and A249.

The M20 will also be closed coastbound between Junction 7 in Maidstone and Junction 9 for Ashford from 8pm on Sunday, November 13, until 6am on Monday, November 14.

Traffic will be diverted off the M20 at Junction 6 to connect with the A229.

Drivers will then take the A229 London-bound to the M2 Junction 3 and head coastbound to Junction 7. Traffic will then travel coastbound along the A2 to Dover Docks.

Once in Dover, traffic will be directed to the London-bound A20 and back on to the M20.

The Department for Transport announced in February 2020 that a new moveable barrier system would be installed on the M20 as part of a contraflow to allow the motorway and junctions to stay open during Channel ports disruption.

The system will allow port-bound lorries to be held on the motorway while all other traffic continues to have access to the motorway in both directions.

Unlike previous projects, such as Operation Stack, the new system allows the M20 to be returned to normal conditions at 70mph when not required within several hours, instead of weeks.

Also on the M20, the Dover TAP is back in force.

It is causing tail-backs of lorries on the motorway.