Kent Police has warned that phase three of operation stack is imminent; a rare move that will see HGVs parked up on both sides of the M20 between junctions eight and nine.
With industrial action crippling Calais, as well as Eurotunnel services, Operation Stack phase two is already in operation, with freight traffic parked on the coast bound carriageway of the M20.
Non-freight traffic is being diverted onto the A20 from the Hollingbourne junction and rejoining the motorway at Ashford West.
Kent Police added that as a result of a build-up of heavy freight traffic on the M20, A20 and roads in and around Dover, junction 13 of the M20 is also currently closed in the direction of the Port of Dover.
“Any freight traffic heading towards Dover will need to join the Operation Stack queue.
“Kent Police and partners are working to minimise the impact of disruption on all motorists and officers are reminding lorry drivers that those at the front of the queue will get a ticket to continue their journey to the continent.
“Those who use the diversions for non-freight traffic in an attempt to get closer to the front, and who do not have a ticket, will be sent to the back of the Op Stack queue.
Any freight drivers found to be parking illegally or dangerously will be dealt with robustly,” the statement said.
Kent Police said the port of Calais was expected to be closed until Thursday.
Matt Clarke, transport manager at Castledene Transport based in Aylesford, Kent, near junction 5 of the M20 described the situation as “ridiculous”.
Clarke said that he now faced drivers running out of time, and major delays for the operation, which runs domestically, pretty much around the clock.
“We’re not a huge fleet but we are efficient and therefore profitable. We are OCRS green and this situation will have consequences for us as a business,” said Clarke.
He added that with much of the current news coverage focused on migrants trying to board trucks in Calais the situation in Kent was getting overlooked. “Pre election there was the promise of a £50m lorry park to help avoid this but that seems to have got forgotten.”
A previous strike by French ferry staff saw migrants stowaway on freight trains travelling through the Channel Tunnel.
