Operation Stack continues to blight Folkestone and Hythe

10.10.23am GMT Thu 30th Nov 2006

The M20 between junctions 11 and 12 was still closed for Operation Stack on Thursday morning. Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday in response to ferry crossings from Dover to Calais being blockaded by a strike at Calais, and at its peak yesterday the M20 was closed back as far as junction 8 towards Maidstone.

Although Calais reopened on Wednesday afternoon, the thousands of lorries are still being cleared, and yesterday saw traffic chaos throughout the area. Many local residents were caught in long jams, and deliveries across the area were late and cancelled.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Toby Philpott was was of those caught in the jams around Folkestone, and was furious at the damage being done to the local economy. He said:

"Operation Stack punishes Folkestone and Hythe residents for blockades at Calais, with Shepway's local businesses and residents being needlessly effected. It's been going on for too long and its time it was stopped.

"How can we attract investment and jobs into the constituency when there is the threat of Operation Stack creating chaos?

"Dover Harbour Board has previously put forward proposals for a Stack lorry park, which would also help deal with the ongoing problems of lorry drivers not being able to find good, purpose built lorry parking for compulsory rests. It's time this proposal was looked at urgently and sympathetically."

Local businessman Darren Briddock agrees:

"For the last three days its been hell on wheels." said Darren. "Deliveries have been delayed, and getting out to clients has been taking much longer than usual. There just has to be a better way that Operation Stack of dealing with cross-channel disruption."