Calais chaos and Operation Stack hasn’t affected freight figures, as the Port of Dover is set to have a record-breaking year.

An increase of 4.2% in freight traffic was recorded in September, with 9,000 more freight units carried during the month, compared with the same month in 2014.

Tim Waggott, Port of Dover chief executive, said: “August is historically a quieter month for freight, whereas June and July have notoriously higher freight peaks.

“However, the port is having busier days and has carried more freight in the last two months than it did in the equivalent months of 2014. And all of that with fewer vessels on the route.

“In the last 12 months we have carried more freight than the annual total in 2014.”

The port has handled up to 9,300 freight units in a single day after the end of this year’s Operation Stack.

Last year 13 vessels were operating, but this has reduced to 11.

Mr Waggott said: “Over the last 20 years, the number of freight vehicles travelling from the UK to mainland Europe has increased by 83%.

“This growth is expected to continue with predictions for the average daily demand increasing to between 14,000 and 16,000 per day in the next decade.

“That’s why the Lower Thames Crossing is crucial in keeping Britain connected with the port. The road network needs the resilience to cope with the demand.”