Lorry drivers in Kent are in for more months of misery as the government is set to extend a ban on them parking in the county.

A union for drivers in has said the current conditions are causing chaos, with fights breaking among drivers in some cases.

In January, following the end of the UK's transition period after leaving the European Union, Kent County Council was given the power to ban lorries from parking in laybys and roads as fears grew about the number of vehicle which would be in the county trying to get across the channel.

Currently drivers can only park at services or lorry parks which have become "chronically overcrowded" according to Unite, which represents thousands of lorry drivers.

The six month restrictions are due to end on Wednesday, but the county council has applied to the Department for Transport for the currently rules to be extended.

Unite has revealed its members think things are getting worse, with the volume of traffic increasing and drivers being forced to parking on double yellow lines on the exit and entrance of slip roads, service stations, coach parks and petrol garages.

The group claim they've been told of fights breaking out between drivers who have been blocked in by others.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “Drivers are facing months of further parking chaos and misery in Kent.

“There are simply not enough lorry parks and services being provided to meet the demands and needs of drivers. It is highly disturbing to learn that in extreme cases fights have broken out.

“The extra stress and tension that the Kent parking ban is having on drivers is an additional factor as to why so many are leaving the industry.

“The industry is already in crisis due to shortages of drivers and the Kent parking ban is making a bad situation worse.

“The government cannot simply extend the parking ban without making immediate provision for drivers to be able to park safely and have access to decent facilities so they are properly refreshed and safe to drive long distances the following day.”

Last month Dover food vendor Wayne King said HGV driver regularly block the lay-by he sets up aand are causing danger to motorists.

He said problem was along the A256 Whitfield bypass between the Whitfield turn-off and the Eythorne exit and that one time a driver had parked up for a nap, leaving about 1m of his lorry sticking out on the road.

“People were beeping their horns, having to swerve out of the way. It was so dangerous," Mr King said.

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