Port traffic going into Dover should be split between the A2 and A20 to help ease congestion, according to Kent County Council.

This could help prevent another traffic nightmare at Dover like the mass of blockages last month.

The proposal is one of many that are part of a public consultation on the county-wide Local Transport Plan by KCC.

It was launched yesterday and continues until October 30.

The document is called Local Transport Plan 4: Delivering Growth Without Gridlock 2016-2031.

It discusses the “bifurcation” - or splitting in two - of traffic coming into the Port of Dover between the M20/A20 and the M2/A2 routes, at an estimated cost of £393 million.

KCC believes that there is an an inefficient motorway network along the channel corridor as all traffic is routed along the M20/A20.

It is believed that this would help provide safer travel and minimise congestion.

The need for the latter was highlighted again after the mass seize-up of traffic coming into the port on the weekend of July 23 and 24.

As many as 250,000 drivers were stranded, some for as long as 12 hours.

Causes had included a bulge of holidaymaker traffic just after schools broke up and lack of manpower at the French border controls.

The KCC document says: “It is vital to the UK economy that the Channel corridor operates efficiently at all times and is resilient to incidents on the network.”

Port traffic is currently routed along the M20/A20, which results in a cutoff between Dover town centre and the Harbour.

KCC believes that with the construction of a new Lower Thames Crossing a second strategic route would be available between Dover and the Midlands and the North.

The Port of Dover’s project to revive the Western Docks would help split traffic by creating a cargo terminal there and so providing more ferry capacity in the Eastern Docks.

This would mean that the Western Docks and Channel Tunnel would both receive vehicles from the M20/A20 and drivers going to the Eastern Docks would be encouraged to use the M2/A2.

The division would also allow growth of Whitfield, Folkestone, Ashford and Maidstone by releasing capacity on the M20.

Work would have to be done to achieve the split, such as dualling the A2 along Jubilee Way to Whitfield and near Lydden.

Other schemes for Kent include county-wide rail and bus service improvements and improved signalling at Ashford International Station.

There is also the backing of the 3,600-place lorry park at Stanford near Junction 11 of the M20 , to counter Operation Stack.

Cllr Matthew Balfour, KCC cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This is one of the biggest plans and will shape the way we invest in our infrastructure up until 2031.

“The transport plan is vital to boost Kent’s economy and support a growing population, which is expected to increase by 293,000 people in the next 15 years.”

People can tell KCC what they think by filling in the consultation questionnaire and can read about their own district plans here.

For a printed copy, or the information in another format or language, email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421553.