A new arrangement between two of the county’s cross-Channel ferry operators has gone live this week - vowing to clear freight from Dover 25% quicker at peak times.

And it is hoped the ‘turn-up-and-go’ option will be expanded to car passengers soon.

It comes following a first-come-first-served deal penned earlier this year between P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries.

In what is known as a “space charter agreement” it means freight arriving at Dover can take either firm’s next available ferry where there is available capacity - thus reducing wait times and providing drivers with more crossing options.

The result, the firms say, will result in clearance times at Dover for freight, at peak times, up to 25% quicker.

P&O says the new ‘turn-up-and-go’ service will make a difference.

Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite said: "This is a material step forward on previous space charters, ensuring that capacity is fully utilised, reducing port congestion and minimising the carbon impact of the cross-Channel route.“

But the new deal will not include fellow Dover to Calais operator DFDS.

It had previously had a similar deal in place with P&O but opted to end that arrangement when its rival struck a similar arrangement with Irish Ferries.

Filip Werne Hermann, DFDS’ vice-president said: “While we continue to welcome collaboration opportunities to further improve the efficiency of our ferry operations on the Dover Strait, we believe that we best service our customers and the market by leveraging our unique value proposition of operating two routes out of Dover - to Calais and to Dunkerque - outside a space charter structure.”

The system was trialled over the summer and saw more than 12,000 freight vehicles transferred between P&O and Irish Ferries.

While initially only available to freight traffic, it will eventually expand to include car passengers to ensure ferries are operating at capacity and reducing wait times.