Dover lorry park plan "facing hurdles"

Plans for a lorry park "buffer" zone to ease the problems caused by lorry parking and Operation Stack from the Port of Dover have come up against "considerable hurdles" according to Dover Harbour Board's Chief Executive.

Dover Harbour Board announced plans in November to build a site for up to 1,500 lorries to the west of Dover. The area is believed to be planned to offer regular lorry parking, and also to hold up to 1,500 lorries when channel crossings are disrupted to reduce the need for Operation Stack, where sections of the M20 are used as a temporary lorry park and closed to other users.

Shepway Lib Dems have campaigned on this issue regularly, highlighting the difficulties caused by Operation Stack and of lorries parking near local residents homes, particularly near Tesco's in Cheriton. Cheriton Town Councillor Tim Prater said:

"Lorry parking is a big problem in Folkestone and areas of Cheriton in particular, with lorries parking up in unsuitable sites. It is essential however, that lorry drivers have suitable places to stop and take legally required breaks - there are too few of them at the moment, and one of the few remaining facilities at Ashford is facing closure.

"I hope that Dover can overcome its problems with the lorry park - road freight transport is with us for the foreseeable future, and while it is, there should be fair provision for drivers, and in times of trouble, Operation Stack causes havoc on local roads, and should be avoided wherever possible.

"Shepway Council, Kent County Council, the Highways Agency and developers should also look urgently at other parking provision near the M20. With the development of the new service station by J11 of the M20, the chance of a lorry park that could help reduce lorry parking in unsuitable residential areas should be explored now."