News | Operation Stack
downsmail.co.uk Manston plan to solve Stack
THE use of Manston Airfield should ease local traffic congestion, according to the Government. The decision to make temporary
use of the disused airfield near Ramsgate while Operation Stack is in force follows a series of meetings involving the Government, High- ways England, Kent Police, KCC and representatives for the ports, Eurotunnel, and lorry drivers. Operation Stack is implemented
when problems at the Port of Calais lead to delays on ferry services and a backlog of lorries, which force the closure of the M20, usually coast- bound from junction 8 near Hollingbourne. Prior to the Manston decision, Operation Stack had closed the M20 on 27 days this summer, caus- ing gridlock throughout the Maid- stone area. The idea of a contraflow, offering coastbound motorists access to the M20 on the London-bound car- riageway, had been seen as a likely solution. But Highways England had rejected the idea as “too dan- gerous”. It says using Manston’s runway,
when required, as an alternative for freight traffic will provide short- term additional capacity to help manage freight traffic on itsway to the Port of Dover. It says it will work alongsideOp- eration Stack to reduce disruption on the M20, with holiday-makers “clearly sign-posted” to the ports and tunnel, and perishable, health and hazardous freight, including livestock “routed directly to the Channel Tunnel and Dover” rather than being stacked. Transport minister Lord Ahmad described the decision to use Manston as a “viable short-term so- lution”. He said: “By using Manston Air- field we have secured an interim
solution while we work to find a longer term resolution.” The deputy chief constable of
Kent, Paul Brandon, said:“We have been in a critical situation in Kent since the middle of June and, in that time the situation in Kent has been acknowledged as a very real, national issue. “The option to divert freight
bound for Europe to Manston Air- field, whilst very challenging, has become more feasible in terms of resourcing and logistics.” KCC leader Paul Carter said:
“Our principal concern has been to keep Kent moving.”
How scheme will work
How Manston Airfield will be used when Operation Stack is in force: 1. All freight will first be stacked coastbound between M20 junctions 8 (Maidstone Services) and 9 (Ashford), and this section will be closed to non-freight traffic. 2. If more space is needed the closed section will be extended to junction 11 (Westenhanger). 3. “When required” (says Highways England), certain “non perishable” freight will be diverted and stacked at Manston Airfield, near Ramsgate, until it can be directed to ferry services at Dover.
WHEN MANSTON AIRFIELD IS IN USE 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.
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 signs marked with a hollow circle diversion symbol. Highways England says routes will be clearly signed and key sites manned, with vehicle recovery resources at strategic points.
Caravan business sees trade fall
THE manager of a Harrietsham business on the A20 says his tak- ings are down a massive 25% be- cause of Operation Stack. Patrick Willoughby, from Lee
Davey Caravans, said: “You only have to look in the till toknowwhich days Operation Stackwas in force.” The company has been selling
and servicing caravans on the site for people across the whole of the South East since 1948. He added: “Our busiest months
are June, July andAugust. “We started off with a record
June and since then we have suf- fered Operation Stack pretty much every week for a couple of days.
Diversions as road closed MOTORISTS face more misery with the closure of Eyhorne Street in Holling- bourne for work to the sewerage system under the main road. The road, a popular diversion for those trying to avoid Operation Stack congestion, closed fromproperty number 103 on August 10 for up to three weeks. Drivers were advised to use the A249 and other routes to the A20. A spokesman for the Nu-Venture bus company also warned: “This will sever the only bus link to Hollingbourne (No 13) for three weeks.”
“We will never be able to get
back this lost trade and there seems to be no one and nowhere for us to get any redress.” The Government says it will pay “reasonable additional costs” to Kent Police for its management of Operation Stack. Kent Police and Crime Commis-
sioner Ann Barnes said the Gov- ernment should also pay “costs associated with assisting immigra- tion officers in dealing with sus- pected illegal immigrants”. She added: “I’ve been dealing
with honourable people at the highest level of the Home Office, so I’m quite sure they’ll keep their word. When the crisis ends I will be submitting an application for pay- ment.”
High price of traffic chaos
MP Helen Whately has revealed the extent of local problems caused by Operation Stack. The Mid Kent MP said: “Visiting Maidstone Hospital I heard about midwives whose journeys to work are taking two or three hours in- stead of their usual 20 minutes. Pregnant women are worrying how they will get to the hospital in time when they go into labour. “I have had letters from busi-
nesses unable to pay wages be- cause customers have stopped coming. Leeds Castle is seeing a huge hit, and funeral services say mourners are missing services; I could go on, but I suspect almost everyone reading this knows how bad the situation is.” She called for compensation to
those in Kent who had lost money, including police (more than £1m lost), social services (more than £5m) and businesses (£1.5m each day Stack is implemented). A spokesman for Leeds Castle,
which is located off M20 J8, said: “Due to Operation Stack, we are approximately 30% down on bud- geted visitor figures which trans- lates as roughly £90,000 income loss for the charity.”
Survey request
BUSINESSES are being asked to complete a survey to let the Gov- ernment know the full cost to Kent commerce of Operation Stack. A handful of questions quiz busi- nesses about their concerns and ask bosses what should be done about the ongoing problem.
Responses will contribute to a joint KCC and British Chamber of Commerce report to ministers. To complete the survey go to
www.surveymonkey.com/s/Oper- ation _Stack.
28
Missed a story? Find archived editions of theDowns Mail FREE at
www.downsmail.co.uk Maidstone Town September 2015
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48