A blunder which delayed plans to solve the nightmare of Operation Stack by a year has been condemned as "incompetence" by a Kent MP.

South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman (Labour) said: "I am astounded that KCC have acted in the way they have."

He was speaking after we exclusively reported that red-faced county council officials have failed to carry out a crucial environmental assessment study on KCC's favoured location for a giant lorry park at Aldington, alongside the M20, to replace Stack.

KCC has admitted it is embarrassed by the delay.

~ How we broke the story >>>

Dr Ladyman was joined in the criticism by KCC's Labour group.

Roger Truelove, the KCC Labour spokesperson for highways, added: "This latest blunder makes you wonder whether the current Conservative leadership is serious about finding a solution to the problem."

Mike Eddy, Labour shadow leader of KCC, said: "The Conservatives have been trumpeting around that they've taken a great step towards solving the problems caused by Operation Stack, by finding a possible site for a lorry park.

"But all they've done is literally that - they've found a possible site. They haven't put in for planning permission yet."

Stack controversy: Alternative lorry park sites kept secret >>>

Dr Ladyman added: "As a result of this incompetence, Kent's drivers must face many months, and possibly years, of more disruption."

Cllr Keith Ferrin, KCC's cabinet member for the environment and transport said: "We were so busy working up the designs that the impact assessment got overlooked. There is not much we can do about it now."