The exercise is part of a completely fresh look at how traffic
can be managed better when there is disruption to services across
the English Channel, and builds on significant improvements
already made by Highways England and its partners in Kent since
the unprecedented deployment of Operation Stack in summer 2015.
The exercise starting today is inviting feedback on the
development of a lorry holding area. The solution could be an
on-or off holding area for lorries, at one site or a number of
sites. No specific sites have been identified at this stage.
Views are also welcomed on the possible provision of 24-hour
lorry parking facilities for everyday use by lorry drivers, which
could help with lorry parking problems in Kent.
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
interrupted. Around 11,500 lorries use the Kent corridor to
access cross-Channel travel services every day. In 2016, the
port of Dover and Eurotunnel handled a record number of lorries
and this is expected to double over the next decade.
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.
When disruption occurs, as a result of severe weather, industrial
action or operational problems, lorries often queue on the roads
leading to the port, leading to congestion of the strategic and
local road network.
When extraordinary levels of disruption occur, Operation Stack is
activated to queue lorries on the M20 until they can catch their
ferry or train. In summer 2015, Operation Stack was in place for
over 30 days. As a result, the Government asked Highways England
to investigate options for management and handling of lorries
caught up heading to Dover.
Without action, existing and likely future issues will continue
to put pressure on the roads and motorways in Kent. With traffic
levels due to increase, this would likely mean Operation Stack
being activated more frequently.
The exercise starts
today and runs until 22 July 2018.
Drop in sessions are being held across Kent, and information will
be available at 30 locations countywide. For more information on
the dates and venues, and to sign up to receive updates about the
scheme, visit the project page on
the Highways England website.
