The details of how Manston will fit into Operation Stack have been announced by Highways England.

Next time Stack is brought in, freight will be parked between junction 8, Maidstone Services, and 9, Ashford, of the coastbound M20, and that section of the motorway will be closed to non-freight traffic.

When more space is needed the closed section will extend to junction 11, Westenhanger.

If extra capacity is still required, the next stage will include the Manston site.

The routes for freight

• Dover-bound freight coming from the West will use the M20 to junction 7, Maidstone, where it will be diverted via the A249, M2, and A299 to Manston
• Dover-bound freight coming from the North (Dartford Crossing) will use the A2, M2 and A299 to Manston
• From Manston, freight will use the A256 and A2 to Dover
• Channel Tunnel-bound freight will stay on the M20

The routes for tourists

• Dover-bound tourist traffic will be encouraged to use the A2, M2 and A2
• If already on the M20 Dover-bound tourist traffic will be diverted off at junction 7, Maidstone, and via the A249, M2, and A2 to Dover
• Channel Tunnel-bound tourist traffic will use the M20 and A20 following the hollow circle diversion symbol

Highways England says the routes will be clearly signed and at various junctions along the M20 and M2, and onward to Manston there will be either a Highways England, a Kent County Council Highways, or Kent Police patrol.

Recovery vehicles will be parked at certain points to keep the route moving if there is a breakdown.

The government today said it would meet "reasonable costs" incurred by Kent as a result of Operation Stack.

Read KM political editor Paul Francis's blog on the plan.