Strike action to close motorway

Queuing lorries park on the M20 under Operation Stack

Strike action by fishermen in Calais could see Operation Stack brought in on the M20 in Kent on Wednesday.

Police warned there was a "high probability" that Stack would be implemented, turning stretches of the M20 into a giant lorry park.

Ch Insp Phil Hibben said there would be "a considerable amount of traffic" travelling through the county in the run-up to the bank holiday weekend.

He said the industrial action could put additional pressure on Kent's roads.

And he added: "Wednesdays are considered as a particularly busy period for Port of Dover.

"Together with the industrial action by fisherman in France, this will mean there is a high probability of implementing Operation Stack as early as tomorrow lunchtime."

Advice to motorists

If Operation Stack is brought in on Wednesday, officers will implement phase two instead of phase one.

Under phase two, the coastbound M20 is closed between junction eight for Leeds Castle and junction nine for Ashford West.

Ch Insp Hibben said phase two proved to be "highly effective in keeping traffic moving" when it was used during industrial action in France in February.

Motorists are being urged to plan their journeys in the run-up to the bank holiday, to carry water and food in case of queues, and to check with cross-Channel ferry operators before setting off for scheduled sailings.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version