Port lorry queue scheme extended

The scheme will be used to complement Operation Stack

Measures to cut traffic congestion caused by lorries waiting to cross the Channel are to be introduced following a trial at a Kent port.

Kent Police will implement the new system at Dover from this week when cross-Channel services are disrupted.

Freight lorries approaching on the A20 will be held in a queue at Aycliff for a maximum of two hours while Operation Stack on the M20 is set up.

The vehicles will be released when ferry spaces become available.

'Good results'

Up to 400 lorries will be filtered into a queue on the nearside coastbound lane of the A20 between the Court Wood and Aycliff roundabouts, with the outside lane remaining open to other traffic travelling at a 50mph limit.

The scheme's trial, which is designed to ease severe congestion and tailbacks along Townwall Street, was carried out by police on Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas said: "The trial of this new scheme produced good results and allows us to relieve traffic problems in the Dover town area when there are issues with congestion at the docks.

"It also means we can work more closely with the ferry operators to make sure that the services they are running are loaded to capacity, which will make the port operation as effective as possible."