POLICE and highways officials are urging motorists to reconsider weekend travel plans in an effort to avoid further grid-lock following the closure of the M20.

The appeal comes 10 days after police closed the motorway between junctions 8 and 9 in phase two of Operation Stack, after industrial action by SeaFrance workers left thousands of lorries unable to cross the Channel.

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With the backlog causing problems on other roads around Kent, drivers are being asked to reconsider travelling at peak times, or to think about using alternative routes.

Police have warned that the motorway may remain closed indefinitely, in use as a lorry park, until the strike is resolved.

Earlier this week, police said they feared the measure could still be in place over the Easter weekend.

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A Kent Police and Kent County Council statement said: "With no resolution in sight to the industrial action, Kent Police, KCC and partner agencies are urging the people of Kent to help their public services to join the effort to keep the county moving and open for business."

The carriageway is used to park lorries before directing them through to either the Channel Tunnel or ferries at Dover as space becomes available. Other traffic is diverted from the motorway at junction 8 onto the A20.

Phase One of Stack between junctions 11 and 12 coastbound is not in place as part of the current measure.