M20 Operation Stack: Disruption 'intolerable' says minister

The European Seaway will be added to P&O's Dover to Calais service in August

The situation on Kent's roads has become "intolerable" because of congestion caused by lorries waiting to cross the Channel, say the government.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill told Parliament several options were being looked at to deal with delays, partly caused by disruption at Calais.

Operation Stack remains in place on the M20 coastbound, with lorries queuing between junctions eight and nine.

Non-freight traffic is being diverted off the motorway and back via the A20.

Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins, told the Commons Operation Stack had been in force for 14 of the last 28 days.

Thousands of lorries were stuck on the motorway in the worst disruption, caused by strikes at Calais last month.

Queue jumpers

Mr Goodwill said: "The road situation in Kent has been intolerable for many local people, although because of Operation Stack we have managed to keep the coaches and tourist traffic flowing."

"A suggestion has been made that Manston airfield may be used to store trucks, although that is 43 miles away from Dover.

"There is a working group led by Kent County Council looking at all these issues.

"Issues that can be addressed more urgently include making sure that the issue of queue jumpers is addressed."

Kent Police has said lorry drivers who use diversions for non-freight traffic in an attempt to get closer to the front of the queue will be sent to the back of Operation Stack.

The Port of Dover said Operation Stack remained in force due to disruption earlier in the week at the Channel Tunnel, the on-going situation at Calais and high volumes of freight traffic at the Channel ports.

P&O Ferries said was bringing back a sixth ship, the European Seaway, between Dover and Calais for the peak season from the beginning of August to cope with increasing volumes of traffic.