An Operation Stack summit will take place in Parliament this afternoon with representatives from the Port of Dover, Channel Tunnel and local authorities keen to make their cases heard.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke called the vital meeting after traffic in Dover and Folkestone was plagued by queuing lorries since a fire in the Tunnel on Saturday, January 21.

Mr Elphicke said: “It’s great we’ve got this summit to focus on the Operation Stack problems and seek a solution once and for all.”

“All the key players are coming so I hope it will be a positive meeting."

"It’s always the residents and businesses of Dover who pay the price,” Charlie Elphicke, MP

Businesses on Snargate Street, Dover, have complained the tailback has affected their trade, with customers unable to get to their premises following warnings to stay well clear.

The summit proceeds Mr Elphicke's meeting with traders this weekend.

He added: "It’s not the fault of people in our community when a ferry crashes into the harbour wall or runs aground. But it’s always the residents and businesses of Dover who pay the price.”

Stack has prompted cries from Parliamentary hopefuls David Little (Ukip) and Sarah Smith (Lib Dems) who want the Government's existing 'lorry levy' to go to the people of Dover.

Mr Elphicke added: “My plan is for new lorry parks to be funded by the £3m cash we won from Government last week, transport operators and money from levies on foreign lorries.

"We also need advance check-in so that lorries check in outside the town and only enter when there is space at the Port. This will stop long lorry queues causing unacceptable congestion in the town centre.

“Our town should not be a dumping ground for lorries and cross-Channel traffic. This summit needs to work to solve the problem once and for all," he said.

More to follow