Kentish Express Ashford & District
Stack site plans show fence and green screening
More details on 3,600-space lorry park on M20
A security fence will surround the lorry park off the M20 in order to protect drivers according to a new consultation document.
The report reveals more detail about the scheme intended to alleviate the misery of Operation Stack, by providing 3,600 free spaces where lorries can wait without blocking the M20.
When not in use for Stack – predicted at only five or six times per year – the site to the west of Stanford, near Hythe, will provide 500 overnight spaces along with washing and toilet facilities
The move is intended to provide an alternative for drivers parking at the side of roads, who will be charged when Stack is not in operation. A cost has not been set.
Critics have slammed the plans with residents hitting out at Highways England for making proposals without an operator lined up.
Campaigners have also accused the government and local politicians of “misleading the public” over the plans and “shutting down debate”.
Members of the SOS Kent group, set up to fight the lorry park plans, said this was shown in recent revelations that the park would be 250 acres – 100 more than was initially quoted by Highways England in the first consultations in December.
Stanford Parish Council chairman Matthew Webb said the proposals being included in a Kent County Council long-term transport strategy and a lack of statutory consultation “is clear evidence that they have no intention of having a full and transparent consultation”.
He added: “The non-statutory consultation that opened on Friday is window dressing, designed to give the appearance that Highways England and KCC are interested in hearing the public’s views.
“Indeed, they are asking us to consult on unfinished plans and an incomplete environmental impact analysis.
“By using permitted developments rights rather than following a standard planning process, they are doing everything in their power to shut down debate and have routinely misled not only the local community, but the Transport Select Committee and local organisations who have based their responses on incomplete and inaccurate plans.”
Former Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin gave the green light from the government in July for the Stanford West site.
But his approval came just days after a damning conclusion from the cross-party parliamentary Transport Select Committee the case for a huge lorry park had not been proven and that the proposals had been rushed through.
See the full consultation document at highwaysengland. citizenspace.com or email Highways England at m20lorryarea@highwaysengland.co.uk, or write to M20 Lorry Area, Highways England, Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4LZ, for hard copies.