An innovative virtual queuing system aimed at preventing gridlock on our roads after Brexit is being devised by academics.

The University of Kent has devised what it terms a "dynamic digital solution" which would manage cross-Channel traffic in a way similar to air traffic control at airports.

Researchers at its School of Computing and Kent Business School have been working on the project which it believes could ease congestion if the departure from the EU causes delays at our ports and the introduction of Operation Brock - the revised version of Operation Stack.

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Brock will see the M20 used to hold lorries heading to the ports, but with a contraflow in place. Additional parking would be made available on the M26 and also the former Manston Airport site.

A university spokesman explained: "For example, during Operation Brock drivers would join the ‘queue’ as soon as they are ready to travel from anywhere in the country.

"When there are delays at the ports or Channel Tunnel they would then be advised to delay their journeys or take a break as soon as the delay is reported, often before they get to Kent. In effect the virtual queue can ‘hold’ hundreds of trucks at different locations across the country rather than physically in Kent.

"The held trucks can then be ‘released’ in a managed way via an app or text message. The system could also enable penalties to be imposed upon those drivers who ignore the virtual queue."

The research is led by Professor Said Salhi, Dr Jesse O’Hanley and Dr Dominique Chu.

Collaborative partners such as operators from the Kent Resilience Forum whose members include Highways England, Eurotunnel, Port of Dover, Kent Police and Border Force, software providers and sector groups such as the automotive industry are being sought to ensure the long term viability of the project, which came about following the Keep Kent Moving Forum at the university’s Canterbury campus during the summer of 2018.

The researchers are now seeking data sets to start to establish and test the ideas, aiming for a trial and phased introduction during 2019.