Operation Brock Returns for the Summer

Operation Brock is to be activated this weekend ahead of the Summer peak

The Operation Brock moveable barrier system on the M20 in Kent will be deployed from Monday 11th July ahead of the Summer peak period and high passenger numbers, Kent Resilience Forum confirmed today.

Operation Brock is part of a series of measures to improve Kent’s resilience and ensure the smooth flow of traffic through the region in the event of disruption to services across the English Channel.

To ensure safe deployment of the contraflow system, the following closures will be needed:

• 2300 Saturday 9th July to 0500 Sunday 10th July - M20 London bound carriageway between j9-8 will be closed to complete Operation Brock preparation work. This includes vegetation clearance and reinstatement of white lines. 

• 2000 Sunday 10th July to 0600 Monday 11th July - M20 London bound carriageway between j9-8 and M20 coast bound carriageway between j7-9 will be closed to install Operation Brock.

A fully signed diversion route will be in place while the M20 is closed overnight.

The Operation Brock contraflow will be deployed overnight on Sunday 10th July.

These times have been chosen to minimise disruption to road users.

Once the barrier is in place, all HGVs heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel must follow the signs to join Operation Brock at M20 junction 8.

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. They will also be sent to the back of the queue by Police or enforcement agents, wasting time, fuel and money. This includes trying to bypass the M20 by using the M2/A2 at Brenley Corner.

All other coast-bound traffic - including local freight and car drivers headed for the continent - should follow the signs and cross over to enter the contraflow on the M20 London bound carriageway.

Anyone planning to use Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover is advised to plan their journeys and check with the travel operator before setting out. They should also allow more time for their journeys and make sure they have food and drink with them in case of delays.

The planned west-bound closure of the M2 between junctions 7 and 5 which was scheduled for 15th -18th July has been cancelled.

Simple vehicle checks can help drivers avoid breakdowns, have a safer journey, and save time and money. More information can be found by visiting: nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/how-to-check-your-vehicle

As a member of the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF), National Highways is working in partnership with other bodies across Kent to keep the roads moving and minimise disruption to local residents, businesses and communities. The KRF will regularly review if the Operation Brock barrier is still required.

About Operation Brock

Operation Brock is part of a series of measures which crucially keep the M20 open in both directions using a contraflow system.

When Operation Brock is in force it is a legal requirement to use the signed routes only for HGV journeys to Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.

For more information on Operation Brock and other travel advice visit: nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/operation-brock

National Highways: South-East

July News from Upchurch Horticultural Society - From the Potting Shed

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

Summer has now arrived, and at the time of writing it is proving to be a bit wet. It was an excellent Spring, especially April, but not turning into a scorcher. Hopefully, by the time this article is published, things will have improved. However, the daytime temperatures are warm with sunny spells so we were able to have lunch on the patio while the evenings are still a bit cool.

The lawn can have a second high Nitrogen weed and feed to keep it in top condition although avoid this if the weather turns very hot and dry. Raise the height of the mower blades a little, and the longer grass will retain moisture at the roots and make the most of any rainfall and heavy dews. If you have the energy, continue to scarify the lawn and rake out any dead thatch after each cut. It is an effort and a job for a perfectionist, but the lawn will look better for it through the Summer.

We have a little Hedgehog hole in a fence panel, which is meant to allow the prickly little fellas to move around more easily. However, it also allows the Rabbits to move around more easily, and my Beetroot and Lettuce have been severely nibbled. I have a second crop coming along, so I will keep these in pots and see how well they do.

Seedlings need to grow faster than they get eaten!

The Aphids have suddenly appeared in large numbers, so I started using the Provanto. Last year it got so bad I found an old bottle of Picket in the shed which belonged to my Father. One dose of that on the Apple sorted the whole problem out. However, I looked at the bottle again and noticed it was manufactured by ICI who became defunct in 2008 and my father died in 1998. I checked it out, and Picket is still suitable for use, although Murphy’s Malathion has been banned and there is a bottle of that in the shed. If you have old chemicals hanging around, check to see if they are suitable for use, but even if they are, the effectiveness may diminish with time.

The June Drop has accounted for about 20% of my Apples, and it is quite amazing how the plant manages to eject the weaker fruit. When it stops, I will look at what is left and thin it out even further. The Pear crop this year is quite meagre, which is unusual, but the trees are left over from the old Vicarage garden and are very old. Hopefully, it is not the end as they are Beurre Hardy Pears which are a lovely dessert pear when pealed. The Victoria Plum blossomed well this year, but the Pigeons took a lot of the small fruits. Attracting wildlife to the garden is a good thing, but it can backfire on you!

Borders and containers need maintenance through the Summer as some plants finish for the year and others come into flower. Some flowers are very short-lived, like Azaleas and Irises but give such a good display and are worth their place in the border. Others start flowering now and go all the way through to the Autumn like Dahlias. However, good deadheading and pruning will make the most of all plants, and there is plenty of advice available on the internet so you can specialise in your favourite varieties. Also, cut flowers are lovely in the house and cheer up any room.

The Blue Tit Box has been successful again this year, and the chicks fledged at the beginning of June. There are usually one or two casualties each year, but when the box was opened and cleaned none had been left behind. The Tadpoles that were removed from the pond as spawn in March have been allowed to grow to a reasonable size and now returned. Hopefully, that will give them a good head start over the predators and help increase the Frog and Toad numbers, which have dwindled.

I do hope you are enjoying your garden, whether you are a keen gardener or not. I particularly get a lot of satisfaction out of growing fruit and vegetables especially as prices are increasing so rapidly. A kitchen garden can be a good asset to the household, especially in retirement and I am giving some thought to propagating from my own seed so that it becomes fully sustainable. All that is required then is to provide the labour and let nature do the rest. Unfortunately, I will still have to go to the Co-op to get the beer.

UHS is always looking for new members and tries to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables, and flowers or even enter any of the shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Urgent Road Closure - White Hill Road, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close White Hill Road, Hartlip from Monday 11th July 2022 for up to 1 day.

The road will be closed between the junctions of Scragged Oak Road and Cox Street.

The alternative route is via Cox Street, Scragged Oak Road and vice versa.

This is to enable kerb repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Help with Food, Gas, Electricity and Water Available for Swale Residents

People struggling to feed their families and pay their bills could be eligible for support from Swale Borough Council.

The council has received almost £500,000 from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Household Support Fund to help families with children and pensioners access food boxes and vouchers to pay their electric, gas and water bills.

The money has been allocated to organisations within the local community who have been on the ground helping people navigate the cost of living crisis.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:

“Thankfully we’ve received almost £500,000 to help support our most vulnerable residents as the cost of living continues to rise.

“This money is primarily to help families with children and people of pension age access food parcels from local food banks and help paying their gas, electric and water bills.

“We’ve allocated money to local organisations that have been on the ground with residents and can identify their need and find the help they need.”

Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the community committee at the council, said:

“We’re working with Family Foodbank in Sheerness, Swale Food Bank and Diversity House in Sittingbourne and West Faversham Community Association who will provide food boxes to those who are struggling to feed their families.

“Our Fuel and Water Home Advisor will be providing vouchers to people who have pre-paid meters for their gas, electric and water.

“We’re also working to set up a service that will provide people without prepaid meters the vouchers they need to pay their bills.

“Pensioners looking for support should head over to Age UK who can deliver hot meals or food shopping.

“Although this funding is primarily aimed at families with children and pensioners, I urge anybody struggling to pay their bills or feed their families to get in touch to see what help is available to them.”

For more information, to check eligibility criteria and find the right support visit: www.swale.gov.uk/hsfe

Swale Borough Council

Poolside Bar & Courtyard - Jersey Boys and the Legends of Music Tribute Show at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Prayer Day for Eva

Dear Upchurch,

Angela Williams, who lives in Upchurch, has a 13 year old granddaughter called Eva. Sadly Eva has been diagnosed with Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma.

This cancer needs some very complicated surgery, which is planned for the 6th of July in Birmingham. This delicate surgery, which will take 18 hours and several surgical teams, is to remove tumours from her spine and ribs. Eva's family haven't been given any promises about the outcome, but there is still hope for this beautiful young lady.

On Wednesday the 6th of July we will be opening St Mary's Church from 9:00am until 6:00pm for a day of prayer for Eva, for her family and for all those involved in Eva's surgery and aftercare.

Come and pray for Eva.

You will be able to light a candle and read a ready composed prayer. Write your own prayer. Or just sit and hold Eva in your thoughts and prayers. And of course, if you have your own cares and anxieties God is waiting for you to bring them to him.

Just come and go as you please. It's your church. He is your heavenly father.

Gill Gay