A new truck-stacking system is being introduced for use when trucks are being held up trying to cross the Channel.

The scheme, to cut congestion in Dover whenever cross-Channel delays cause a backlog of freight traffic, will be launched this week.

The Kent police said trucks approaching the Port of Dover on the A20 would wait in a temporary holding area for a maximum of two hours while phase one of Operation Stack - whereby the M20 is used as a giant truck park - is set up.

Assistant chief constable Allyn Thomas said: "The trial produced good results and allows us to relieve traffic problems in the Dover town area when there are issues with congestion at the docks. It also means we can work more closely with the ferry operators to make sure that the services they run are loaded to capacity."

The temporary holding queue on the A20 should be able to hold up to 400 lorries.

The Freight Transport Association recently criticised Operation Stack for blocking the M20. It has joined Kent County Council's drive to introduce three lorry parks near the M20.

Source IFW