A disaster relief charity drafted in to support drivers stuck in long queues on a Kent motorway has had its contract extended.

RE:ACT has been handed a year-long contract to aid HGV drivers when stuck in long queues on the M20 from Dover to Ashford.

The charity, which is normally involved during wars or in the aftermath of disasters, was first drafted to aid in the chaos on the motorway on a six-month basis in May of last year.

Having worked in South Africa, Mozambique and Ukraine on aid missions, it had been handed a further 12-month contract to help stranded lorry drivers, who have complained that there have often been incidents when Operation Brock is in place when they have not received food or water or provided with toilets.

According to the Guardian, the contract – which started in November – is worth around £200,000.

The fist six-month agreement was worth around £158,000.

A spokesman for the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) said the aid charity was among many organisations - including the Red Cross - with whom it has contracts to offer aid.

“KRF partners have developed contingency plans to ensure the M20 motorway can be kept open to traffic and that disruption for local residents, businesses and other road users is kept to a minimum.

"Our priority is always to keep people safe and the county moving," they added.

"The plans include looking after the welfare of drivers who may be delayed in queues for a long period of time when cross-Channel services are disrupted and drivers coming to Kent face significant delays.

"When this occurs the KRF works with partners, including RE:ACT and The British Red Cross, to coordinate supplies of bottled water, sandwiches and snack packs which are distributed to those stuck in queues for a long period of time.

"If disruption is anticipated, the KRF encourages everyone travelling through the county to check with their operator before setting off and be prepared for queues by carrying food and water, any medication they may need and childcare essentials if travelling with children.

"We will continue to raise the matter of disruption on the Kent road network with Government and, with further ministerial visits planned in Kent in 2023, there remains plenty of opportunity to discuss the unique issues the county faces.”

Operation Brock is brought in on the M20 when heavy port traffic is anticipated. When traffic weight is at its most extreme, the coastbound carriageway of the motorway is shut from junction 9 for Ashford to junction 11 for Hythe as operation 'Brock Zero' is brought in.

A government spokesperson said: “Driver welfare is our priority and it’s only right we have robust emergency support in place in case of unprecedented issues at the border.

“We continue to work across government and with our partners, including the French government, to ensure passengers have the smoothest journey possible."