The government has published the formal Government Response to the Operation Brock consultation, ‘Removing sunset clauses and provisions for EU Exit and COVID-19 pandemic from existing traffic management legislation’. 

This Consultation ran for four weeks from the 26 May to 20 June.

The Government Response sets out the decision to remove measures relating to COVID-19 and the EU transition period which were put in place for particular circumstances that have now passed.

It also outlines the decision to remove the ‘sunset clauses’ so that the legislative powers will remain available after 31 October 2021, when the current SIs expire.

The impact of the changes will enable Operation Brock to continue to be an effective contingency traffic management plan to mitigate any disruption in Kent beyond 31 October 2021.

Having an updated set of Statutory Instruments will be a benefit in the long term, as Brock could still be required in response to events causing disruption at the Short Straits in Kent, such as bad weather or industrial action.

Full details can be found https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/operation-brock-removing-sunset-clauses-and-provisions-for-eu-exit-and-covid-19-pandemic-from-existing-traffic-management-legislation.