Operation Brock is to return to the M20 next week alongside new permits in a bid to stop lorry drivers “rat running”.

The contraflow scheme, which sees lorries heading to the continent queue on the coastbound side between Junction 8 for Leeds Castle and 9 for Ashford, will be redeployed overnight on Wednesday, July 10.

But many truckers skip the system and head to the Port of Dover on other routes, adding to congestion in the area.

The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) says the new permits, which will be issued to truckers at the front of the Operation Brock queue between Junctions 8 and 9, will “prevent lorries from bypassing the control measures”.

They will be checked on the A20/B2011 Courtwood Interchange in Dover and, if truckers do not have the permit, they will be told to turn around and join the Brock queue.

The Brock system sees the London-bound carriageway operate as a contraflow with narrow lanes and a 50mph limit, and is expected to remain in place throughout the summer holiday.

It comes as holidaymakers as well as spectators heading to the Olympic Games in Paris are expected to head through the county from July 13 until the middle of August.

Simon Jones, strategic lead of the KMRF, said: “We are doing everything we can to find more effective ways to manage traffic heading through Kent to cross the Channel, as we know that the impact of severe disruption on local communities and in Dover itself can really affect people’s lives and businesses.

“One thing that could help is stepping up measures to ensure that freight drivers stick to the plan, and cannot circumnavigate the queues.

“This only adds to congestion, particularly in the centre of Dover.

“However, these freight permits are not a ‘fix all' solution.

“There is no doubt that, in busy periods, the situation on the roads heading through Dover remains extremely fragile.

“The message from KMRF to freight drivers is ‘no permit – no access to Port of Dover.’”

“With a busy summer ahead, and the introduction of entry-exit system [EES] checks later this year, we are doing everything we can to prevent further disruption.”

In a statement, KMRF, which is made up of a number of authorities including Kent County Council, said the permits are aimed at preventing freight drivers from “rat running”.

It said: “To ensure freight drivers have followed the correct route, all freight heading to the Port of Dover would have to leave the A20 at the Courtwood Interchange, at the junction of the A20 and the B2011, where their permits would be checked at the end of the slip road.

“If they have complied, they will be allowed to re-enter the Dover TAP queue on the A20 and continue their onward journey to the port.

“The message from KMRF to freight drivers is ‘no permit – no access to Port of Dover.’

“Local HGVs and deliveries will not be pulled off the A20, but allowed to continue their journey, with passenger and local traffic, onwards into Dover.

“Those Kent hauliers that qualify for a ‘local haulier permit’ will be sent this ahead of the busy summer period.

“There is no need to apply for a local licence as, if you fall within the catchment area, KMRF already has your details.

“Traffic flows will be continually monitored throughout the holiday period and Operation Brock will be removed as soon as possible, once the impact of disruption has reduced.”

To deploy the contraflow, the M20 will be closed – London-bound from Junctions 9 to 8 and coastbound Junction 7 to 9 – overnight from 8pm on Wednesday, July 10 to 6am on Thursday, July 11.