Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘kent police can’t afford to keep coming to the road network’s rescue’
Gridlock woes
Traffic chaos has led to Ashford being virtually gridlocked yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
With Operation Stack closing the M20 in both directions between Ashford and Maidstone, traffic leaving the M20 at junction 10 was also snarled up heading for the A20. To add to the problems, there has been an accident on the M20 between junctions 9 and 10 and another on the A20 at Charing – the Operation Stack diversion route.
Drivers trying to avoid the M20 have also been caught up in jams as others try to do the same. Kent Police have lost a fifth of their workforce to managing Operation Stack, the county’s crime commissioner says.
Ann Barnes, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner (pictured right), insisted officers could not carry on coming to the road network’s rescue.
She said: ‘When Operation Stack was last implemented, in January, I lamented the fact that valuable police time was once again being wasted.
“Kent Police has lost a fifth of its workforce and simply cannot afford to keep coming to the road network’s rescue.
‘In January, I sought assurances that partners would be working to prevent this from happening again. But just a few months on what has, if anything, been achieved?
“Kent is the gateway to Europe and disruption on our road network is a national issue. We have a new Government, but seemingly the same old problem.
“For now, Operation Stack remains the best way of dealing with traffic when issues arise at the Channel Tunnel and the ports and I would like to thank the officers of Kent Police for their efficiency and efforts in trying to keep Kent moving. But it cannot continue like this.
‘Last time we had to endure Operation Stack for almost a week. I hope the end will come much quicker this time.”