Operation Stack

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Operation Stack is the codename used by Kent Police and the Port of Felixstowe in England to refer to the method of using sections of the M20 motorway in Kent or A14 road to park lorries when the English Channel or Felixstowe ports are blocked by bad weather or industrial action.

1 Kent
- 1.1 Alternatives
- 1.2 Parliament
2 Suffolk
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Kent

In Kent lorries are parked on the coast-bound carriageway with the road closed to all other traffic at the same time. Phase 1 involves closing the road between Junctions 11 (Hythe) and 12 (Cheriton)^[1], with the A20 providing an alternative route. Phase 2 involves closing the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford (Junctions 8 to 9)^[1] with the A20 being used as the diversionary road again. This stacking can close the motorway for days at a time^[2] and as a result Operation Stack has been controversial^[3]. The authorities also use the Waterbrook freight clearance facility in Ashford^{[verification needed]}.

[edit] Alternatives

Several options are being considered instead of closing the motorway. They include:

To try to combat the disruption, parking the lorries on the Kent County Showground at Detling has been discussed by the Highways Agency, but locals are opposed because the area is very congested with traffic^[4].

In 2005, the Dover Harbour Board unveiled a plan to create a lorry park for 1500 vehicles^[5] with construction beginning in 2006^[6].

In February 2007, it was revealed that Kent County Council has been talking to landowners about buying land for a lorry park^[7].

There has been a suggestion from Shepway District Council for a lorry park to the North East of the roundabout at Junction 11, which would be supported by associated development within the Stanford and Lympne areas^[8].

A coned contraflow system has been discussed and trialed on the 10.5 mile (17km) motorway section between Ashford and Maidstone, to relieve the pressure on the A20, however it proved costly and slow to arrange, taking two days to set up and two days to remove afterwards^[9].

[edit] Parliament

At the end of January 2007, local Members of Parliament, Damian Green (Ashford) and Stephen Ladyman (Thanet) were involved in a debate, covering the issue of Operation Stack, in the House of Commons ^[10]. Everyone agreed that stacking was a problem but there was no firm decisions as to whether the Department for Transport of Kent County Council should look for an alternative.

[edit] Suffolk

In Suffolk, lorries are parked on one lane of the Dock Spur Road to allow through traffic to pass. This is implemented when winds exceed 45 mph as the cranes cannot be operated due to Health and Safety regulations^[11].