More criticisms have been made over the decision to use Manston Airport as a lorry park during Operation Stack.

The Mercury reported last week that the MPs for Dover and Sandwich, Charlie Elphicke and Craig Mackinlay, had objected to the plans, as had Dover district councillor Nigel Collor.

Cllr Collor, portfolio holder for access and licensing, said he believed Folkestone Racecourse or the County Showground near Maidstone would be better places for the lorry park.

He said: “It needs to be borne in mind that most drivers will not willingly take such a long deviation from their main route – the M20/A20 corridor.

“The cost of fuel alone would be enormous, plus the pollution through the Garden of England.”

It has been confirmed that convoys will be marshalled by police but Cllr Collor says there would need to be at least 26 officers at all times.

He claims this could equal 100 officers across the district in total.

He explained that, as the Eastern Docks is very busy, it would need to be policed by at least four officers, and Jubilee Way would need to remain free-flowing at all times.

He said: “The Duke of York’s roundabout, the junction with the A258, gets extremely busy at times and there would be a need to prevent trucks bypassing the system and taking the very unsuitable A258 into Dover. On Castle Hill there is a steep down gradient with two severe bends and a tight turn onto the A256 at the bottom. It is entirely unsuitable.

“To have this roundabout functioning at an acceptable level a further four police officers would be required.”

He said another two officers would need to be in attendance near the White Cliffs Business Park and another four along the A256 between Whitfield and the Eastry roundabout.

He believes the racecourse or the County Showground would cause less chaos and avoid the single carriageways and busy roads for local traffic.