Operation Stack

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Operation Stack is the codename used by Kent Police and the Port of Dover in England to refer to the method of using sections of the M20 motorway in Kent to park lorries when the English Channel or Dover ports are blocked by bad weather or industrial action. It has been implemented over 75 times since its inception 20 years ago.

Contents 1 Kent 1.1 Alternatives 1.2 Parliament 1.3 March 2008 2 Similar methods elsewhere 2.1 Suffolk 2.2 Stranraer 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Kent

In Kent lorries are parked on the coast-bound carriageway with the road closed to all other traffic at the same time. Phase 1 involves closing the road between Junctions 11 (Hythe) and 12 (Cheriton)^[1], with the A20 providing an alternative route. Phase 2 involves closing the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford (Junctions 8 to 9)^[1] with the A20 being used as the diversionary road again. This stacking can close the motorway for days at a time^[2] and as a result Operation Stack has been controversial^[3]. Phase 3 involves closing the M20 London bound between junctions 9 and 8 (Ashford to Maidstone).

[edit] Alternatives

Several options are being considered instead of closing the motorway. They include:

• To try to combat the disruption, parking the lorries on the Kent County Showground at Detling has been discussed by the Highways Agency, but locals are opposed because the area is very congested with traffic.^[4]

• In 2005, the Dover Harbour Board unveiled a plan to create a lorry park for 1500 vehicles^[5] with construction beginning in 2006.^[6]

• In February 2007, it was revealed that Kent County Council has been talking to landowners about buying land for a lorry park.^[7]

• There has been a suggestion from Shepway District Council for a lorry park to the North East of the roundabout at Junction 11, which would be supported by associated development within the Stanford and Lympne areas.^[8]

• A coned contraflow system has been discussed and trialed on the 10.5 miles (16.9 km) motorway section between Ashford and Maidstone, to relieve the pressure on the A20, however it proved costly and slow to arrange, taking two days to set up and two days to remove afterwards.^[9] However, the Highways Agency have announced a plan to use Quick Movable Barriers^[10][11] to set up a Contraflow so that 2 running lanes of traffic on the M20 can be maintained.^[12]

[edit] Parliament

At the end of January 2007, local Members of Parliament, Damian Green (Ashford) and Stephen Ladyman (Thanet) were involved in a debate, covering the issue of Operation Stack, in the House of Commons. Everyone agreed that stacking was a problem but there were no firm decisions as to any alternatives.^[13]

[edit] March 2008

On March 5, 2008 continuing industrial action (which had begun in late February) by French workers operating the SeaFrance cross-channel ferry service resulted in Kent Police initiating phase 2 of Operation Stack to manage a freight traffic build-up as a result of delayed ferry services.^[14] The industrial action lasted for a number of days with the subsequent backlog of road freight on the M20 causing significant disruption to the surrounding area and roads. The MEP for South East England Richard Ashworth and the leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, urged French president Nicolas Sarkozy to step-in and resolve the SeaFrance dispute, protesting the difficulties incurred by the county's residents and businesses.^[15][16] The long-term nature of the closures was the first time in the 20-year-history of Operation Stack that sections of the M20 had had to be closed for more than three days and businesses in nearby towns reported trade and takings down by up to 50%.^[17] As of 13 March, stack was still operational - the longest single time it has ever been in operation. The Freight Transport Association estimated the cost of the disruption to be around £5m as at 9 March. Kent County Council later announced progress with their plans to construct a lorry freight park which would be used for temporary parking in an attempt to mitigate the effects of Operation Stack. This has met with opposition on account of the proposed site being very close to a National Grid facility. There are concerns the amount of fuel in vehicles so close to a key electrical supply facility would be too high risk.^[18]

[edit] Similar methods elsewhere

[edit] Suffolk

In Suffolk, lorries are parked on one lane of the Port of Felixstowe Road to allow non-port traffic to pass^[19]. This is implemented when winds exceed 45 mph as the cranes cannot be operated due to Health and Safety regulations^[20].

[edit] Stranraer

A similar method is used on the A751 near Stranraer when the ports of Cairnryan and Stranraer are closed. The whole road is closed to hold HGVs heading for Northern Ireland when needed.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• "Port delays hold up M20 lorries", BBC News, 18/02/2005. 
• "Snow brings Operation Stack back", BBC News, 1/03/2005. 
• "M20 backlog due to Calais strike", BBC News, 29/11/2006. 
• "Lorry backlog closes part of M20", BBC News, 5/12/2006. 

• "Operation Stack returns near port", BBC News, 11/03/2008.