Motorists can expect increasing delays after Operation Stack was put back into force today.

French fishermen are responsible for the problem. They are currently blockading the French ports of Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk, which has caused the cancellation of all ferry services across the Channel.

Eurotunnel passenger and freight services are running but police have implemented “Phase 2” of Stack to cope with the build-up of freight traffic.

Phase Two is the closure of the coastbound section of the M20 between junction 8 at Leeds Castle and Junction 9, Ashford West.

Non-freight traffic is being directed off the motorway at Junction 8, while HGVs are queued on the motorway.

During the extensive implementation of Operation Stack in February this year, police decided it caused less disruption to go straight to Phase 2 as a first step. Phase 1 involves closing the M20 between junctions 11 and 12. That section remains open at present.

There was praise for the new arrangement this week from the Freight Transport Association, based in Tunbridge Wells. The head of the FTA’s international department, Don Armour, said: “The new system probably does simplify things. And it certainly causes less disruption in the Folkestone and Dover areas, closer to the ports. That used to cause a lot of problems for the trading estates in that area, with vehicles unable to get in or out. Closing the motorway at this end is less disruptive. After all, there’s only really fields between Maidstone and Ashford.”

Police are advising motorists to avoid the area unless their journey is absolutely necessary.

Useful links: