The upgrade will allow more goods to travel through the Channel Tunnel by train, reducing the reliance on HGVs on Kent‘s motorways.

Ministers explained that the move will cut congestion, ease pollution, and reduce wear on key routes, including the M20, M2, and Dartford Crossing.

Currently, only a small proportion of freight passes through the Channel Tunnel by rail, with most goods travelling by sea and then by road.

Ashford MP Sojan Joseph, who has long campaigned for more freight to go by rail, welcomed the announcement.

He said: “The return of freight to rail will undoubtedly relieve the congestion caused by Channel-bound lorries on the M20, and therefore reduce the need to use Operation Brock – hopefully taking us a step closer to finding a permanent alternative to what I know is a huge frustration for so many residents.”

Meanwhile, Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan also backed the plans, with the two MPs previously estimating that the switch to rail could remove around 140,000 HGV journeys from Kent’s roads each year.

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Operation Brock was introduced after Brexit and is deployed on a 13-mile stretch of the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford.

It creates a contraflow system to queue lorries heading to the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel and is often installed by National Highways during busy periods.

The system causes delays for local traffic and costs taxpayers around £226,000 to set up, plus £35,000 for every 24 hours it remains in place.

The Government said it hopes that by shifting more freight onto trains, it will reduce the need to activate Brock and Dover TAP, which queues lorries on the A20 approaching Dover.

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Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “This deal is a huge opportunity to reinvigorate rail freight by paving the way for the return of regular services through the Channel Tunnel.

“It will boost British businesses by opening new trade links to Europe by delivering a faster and more sustainable way to transport goods to the continent and back. This is all part of our plan to use our railways to support economic growth and jobs.”

Under the plans, Network Rail and its property arm Platform4 will take long-term control of the Barking Eurohub, currently owned by Legal & General.

Local councillors in Kent have also welcomed the move, with Councillor Stephen Scoffham from Folkestone and Hythe District Council sharing: “I am thrilled to hear that cross-Channel freight will now be able to go direct to London by rail rather than onto the roads in the Folkestone area.”

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He explained that, as well as reducing congestion and easing the blockages caused by Operation Brock, “the link will help to reduce carbon emissions and improve our links with mainland Europe”.

Councillors have been working with Network Rail for the past 18 months to support upgrades to the freight link between Folkestone and London.