Kentish Express Ashford & District
STACKED OFF
MPs have come down hard on England’s road bosses after the controversial traffic management scheme Operation Stack was brought back for two days.
The measure on the coastbound carriageway of the M20 was introduced for the first time in almost four years on Wednesday lunchtime due to delays crossing the Channel caused by Storm Gareth.
The system, which has been in place for more than 30 years, was activated despite work being undertaken for a new system in the last year.
But highways chiefs have denied the implementation of Operation Stack has forced them to suspend work on Operation Brock - the new emergency Brexit plan that would see a contra-flow along the London-bound M20.
Highways England, which is overseeing Operation Stack and is carrying out the work on the separate plan under Operation Brock, said it was “unfortunate timing” but it expected to have completed the work by the original Brexit deadline of March 29.
Responding to questions about why Operation Brock could not be used, Highways England tweeted: “Unfortunately at current the contraflow for Operation Brock is not ready to be used as there are further construction works to be conducted.”
But the closure of the M20
between junctions 8 and 9 led to huge delays across east Kent as drivers were forced onto alternative routes for more than 24 hours.
Eurotunnel continued to operate as planned but patients were being warned to give themselves more time to get to hospital appointments by Thanet CCG.
Police and Highways England confirmed around 4.30pm on Thursday that they were starting preparations to remove Operation Stack but an official statement said “This may take some time to complete”.
The incident lead to several conversations about pre-Brexit road planning in Kent and several Kent MPs expressed frustration at the triggering of Op Stack for the first time since 2015.
Ashford MP Damian Green said it was appalling that no alternatives had been found, while Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said it underlined the need for a lorry park.
Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately tweeted it was frustrating the scheme was not ready and she had asked for updates from the Department of Transport.
The Road Haulage Association tweeted a quote from their chief executive Richard Burnett after Operation Stack was triggered: “If we leave the EU without a deal and the authorities on the French side use Kent roads as a traffic filter, repercussions for Kent residents and business could be disastrous.”
Highways England was told to investigate options for a permanent lorry park site after it was forced to scrap plans for one off the M20 at Folkestone in the face of a legal challenge.
But there have been no announcements on alternative sites despite a pledge that there would be a public consultation in 2018 and a formal application this year.