News

The days of closing the M20 for use as a lorry park whenever there are hold ups for cross-channel services took a step nearer to it being a thing of the past following a meeting between Transport Minister and Kent MP, Steve Ladyman, and Kent County Council Leader, Paul Carter.

The KCC Leader said, " It is clear that we all want to find a proper solution to the problems caused by Operation Stack and I am hopeful that the Department will publish proposals in about four weeks time."

Mr Carter praised positive and constructive talks with the Department for Transport to find proper alternatives to Operation Stack and said he believed the best answer was a permanent off-highway solution involving an emergency temporary lorry park capable of taking some 3,500 lorries.

"We have put forward a number of site options and the Department for Transport are now looking at these before making an announcement," Mr Carter said.

As an interim measure, a movable barrier could play a significant part in keeping the M20 open both ways, particularly if the barrier could be used elsewhere for major road works when a more permanent solution was realised.