A major new lorry area to be created near Stanford in Kent is set to provide a long-term solution to the problems caused on the M20 and surrounding roads when Operation Stack is used. It will help keep the M20 moving during disruption to cross-channel services, helping companies go about their business.
Operation Stack was used on a record 32 days last year as the area was hit with unprecedented disruption in the summer. Following this, in last year’s Autumn Statement the government announced it would be providing up to £250 million for a permanent lorry area.
Chancellor George Osborne said: ''A long-term solution that will keep traffic moving has been talked about for decades, but now we are delivering it. I look forward to construction starting as soon as possible.''
Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, said: ''The new lorry area by the M20 will deliver better journeys for drivers and will not only support the region’s economy but also businesses as far away as Scotland that rely on the M20 to access the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel.''
The lorry area will provide parking for up to 3,600 lorries. A Highways England consultation showed strong support for a permanent lorry area to reduce or remove the need to close the M20.
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