A series of public information events across Kent will
be the start of a longer-term consultation process
aimed at identifying permanent improvements to how
freight traffic is managed when there is disruption to
cross channel services in future.
People will be asked whether they would prefer to have
an on-road or off-road lorry holding area; or a
combination of both on either single or multiple sites.
No sites have yet been selected. The public information
exercise will also seek views about whether everyday
24-hour lorry parking should be considered as part of a
lorry holding area solution. Approximately 900 lorries
park illegally or inappropriately across Kent each day.
Highways England project director John Kerner said:
The disruption that people in Kent experienced in the
summer of 2015 underlined the need for improvements
to how traffic is managed when services across the
English Channel are interupted. We now have an
opportunity to take a completely fresh look at what a
permanent solution to Operation Stack could be, and
understanding people’s views will be vital in making
sure we can identify the most appropriate outcome. I
encourage anyone with an interest to get involved.
Public information events will be held over the
six-week period, and information will be published on
Highways England’s website as well as being available
at any of 27 public information points across the
county.
Details of the events are available on the
scheme website.
The project team will also visit Motorway Service Areas
and truck stops across the area to speak to drivers and
seek their views.
The public information exercise follows an announcement
by the Department for Transport last month.
