Abnormal load movement on M20 and A20 – 3 June 2023

A large piece of equipment will be taken from Dover Port to National Grid’s substation near Sellindge, Kent. This is essential equipment to allow the National Grid to provide energy to homes and businesses.

The load weighs over 330 tonnes and is over 86 metres long and will be escorted by the Police, who will need to temporarily hold traffic to allow the convoy to safely progress.

Due to the complexity of moving equipment of this size there will be disruption on the M20 and A20 overnight on Saturday 3 June - so please plan ahead.

The convoy will move very slowly while it is on the road.

The vehicles are expected to leave the Port of Dover at around 11pm and will make their way to join the London-bound A20 at the Court Wood interchange, before joining the M20 and travelling to junction 10a.

The convoy will use the London-bound M20 until junction 11 and then move onto the coastbound carriageway, before leaving using the coastbound entry slip at junction 10a. The coastbound M20 between junctions 10 and 11 will be fully closed while the convoy is on the carriageway with a diversion in place via the A2070 and A259 to junction 11.

Police may hold traffic on the London-bound carriageway, with a lane closure between junction 11 and 10a, where the convoy will cross the central reservation.

It’s expected to leave the M20 around 2am, when the road will fully reopen. Please note, all timings are subject to change depending on progress.

To ensure there are no hold-ups, there will be some activities carried out ahead of the movement, which includes the removal of street furniture and parking restrictions.

To follow the progress of the convoy, please follow us on Twitter.

If you have any questions about the movement, please contact National Grid on 0800 319 6186.

Barrier maintenance

We’ll also be carrying out maintenance work on the M20 barrier overnight on Saturday 3 June. This means the London-bound carriageway will be closed between junctions 9 and 8 from 8pm Saturday 3 June until 6am Sunday 4 June.

Due to the abnormal load, a diversion will be in place via the A20 for this night only. For other barrier closures, please continue to use the A2 and M2 diversion route.