Operation Stack, no longer fit for purpose says RHA
Chief Executive of the Road Haulage Association, Richard Burnett, is calling for a new solution to the problems of congestion caused in Kent when traffic flows across the Channel are disrupted.
Commenting, Mr Burnett said: “Operation Stack, the emergency measure for parking road freight traffic on Kent’s M20 has proved itself to be no longer fit for purpose. Since the end of June this year, the motorway has seen unprecedented levels of HGVs parked up as a result of strike action by workers at Calais and ever-increasing numbers of immigrants trying to gain access to the UK.”
Operation Stack was planned to relieve congestion on Kent’s road network; the main route between the UK and the rest of Europe, which carries 90% of road freight per annum. It was designed to be able to park up to 3000 HGVs at any one time but recent weeks have seen that number, on some days, almost double causing tailbacks of 30 miles. In simple terms, Operation Stack is no longer an effective solution to what has now become a long term problem.
Richard Burnett continued: “We need to see easily accessible and safe lorry parks for HGVs and their drivers who, through no fault of their own, have fallen victim to action on the other side of the Channel. Drivers are stranded on the side of a motorway, often in soaring temperatures without food, water or toilets; some for up to four days at a time. HGV drivers, quite literally, move the UK economy. To expect them to work under such conditions is both unreasonable and unacceptable.”
