Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘So far so good’ as lorry traffic levels return to normal
Kent Resilience Forum releases new figures
Port-bound lorry movements are back to normal but there have still been no traffic snarlups after Brexit - apart from delays at the temporary Waterbrook lorry park in Ashford.
Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) has released figures showing lorry movements and the amount of Covid tests for their drivers.
More than 6,000 lorries a day are now leaving the country via Kent ports - back to normal expected levels.
There were more than 200,000 freight movements across both ports, Dover and the Channel Tunnel, during January, including both import and export traffic.
About 200,000 Covid-19 tests on HGV drivers have been carried out in Kent in preparation for cross-Channel journeys.
Police officers from 27 different forces have been supporting Kent Police, helping to keep the flow of traffic moving.
Approximately 6,000 traffic cones, 600 traffic management signs and more than 120 other items of road furniture including CCTV cameras and lights have been installed by Highways England.
The Operation Brock moveable barrier itself is 12.3 miles long and consists of 19,563 individual blocks.
Bosses say almost all HGV drivers have taken their rest breaks in appropriate and legal parking areas, while Kent County Council enforcement officers have had to clamp about 690 vehicles to ensure local roads are kept free of any obstructions.
KRF says hundreds of people from partners including Highways England, Kent County Council, Kent Police, the Department for Transport and other government departments and agencies have been striving to give EU-bound HGV drivers as smooth a journey to the county’s ports as possible.
The organisation has spent more than two years planning for the UK’s withdrawal from the single market and the potential disruption it could bring.
It has been feared this would be caused by extra paperwork in the movement of goods following Britain’s complete departure from the EU in December.
And the sudden requirement for a negative Covid-19 test to travel to France is adding an extra demand.
It was the French’s sudden closure of their borders last December that led to traffic chaos around the Port of Dover.
This was to stop a new variant of Covid-19 coming into their country.
Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix of Kent Police, who is also chairwoman of the KRF, warned: “Disruption in the future remains a distinct possibility. We therefore cannot afford to be complacent.”
Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council, said: “While the ports initially experienced lighter freight flows than normal, KRF partners have still had to overcome a number of challenges.
“Of course, it is early days, and with freight numbers continuing to reach near-normal seasonal averages, KRF remains ready to roll out more traffic management measures to keep the county’s roads moving should they be needed.
“In turn, I urge more heavy goods drivers to follow colleagues who get their access permits and negative Covid tests before coming to Kent.
“These two actions alone will continue to help cut the risk of congestion on routes to Dover and Folkestone.”
Nicola Bell, Highways England regional director, said: “I would urge hauliers to continue to follow the signs on the M20, using Brock for Eurotunnel and Manston for Port of Dover.”
‘I would urge hauliers to continue to follow the signs on the M20...’ - Nicola Bell, Highways England