Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to instruct Highways England to remove the barrier on the M20 between Junctions 8 and 9; and if he will make a statement.

Highways England are responsible for operational decisions regarding the strategic road network including the M20 in Kent.

Following the Government’s decision to stand down contingency planning for leaving the EU without a deal, Highways England and the Kent Resilience Forum will be considering the most suitable time to remove the barrier, taking into account the disruption this will cause, the impact closures will have on other planned works, as well as the ability to respond to any unplanned disruption at the ports, including severe weather.