Public meeting over lorry plans

Queuing lorries park on the M20 under Operation Stack

A fourth public meeting has been staged by residents fighting plans to build a lorry park between Aldington and Sellindge in Kent.

The event was organised by the Lorry Park Alliance, an action group formed by people from several villages.

Kent transport spokesman, councillor Keith Ferrin, was taking questions.

Kent County Council (KCC) is looking at building three lorry parks on the M20, A2/M2, and M25 corridors for trucks queuing during cross-Channel delays.

Freight traffic currently parks on the M20 during Operation Stack when cross-Channel transport is blocked.

'Light pollution'

KCC leader, Paul Carter, said the lorry park near Sellindge would have a permanent capacity for 500 lorries, and also an additional area which could take up to 2,500 lorries during Operation Stack.

He said: "We're hoping to landscape, and be able to grow grass on that part of the ground."

But Ashford borough councillor Peter Wood said the residents of Smeeth would be "particularly affected" by the plan, especially people who live alongside the A20.

He said there would be light and noise pollution and the construction of the lorry park would be a major problem.

And he said villagers living further afield would still suffer from light pollution and visual intrusion.