Operation Stack

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Operation Stack is the codename used by Kent Police and Suffolk Constabulary^[specify] to refer to the method of using sections of the M20 motorway in Kent or A14 road to park lorries when the channel or Felixstowe ports are blocked by bad weather or industrial action.

1 Kent
2 Suffolk
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 and 12^[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]. The authorities also use the Waterbrook freight clearance facility in Ashford^[specify].

Operation Stack has been controversial^[3].

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].

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^[specify].

A coned contraflow system has been discussed and trialed on the 10.5 mile (17km) 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^[7].

[edit] Suffolk

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