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Ashford MP Damian Green and Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins to meet with transport chiefs in Maidstone over emergency Operation Stack proposals

Kent MPs are due to take part in discussions over emergency proposals to halt the gridlock caused by Operation Stack.

Ashford MP Damian Green will join his Folkestone and Hythe colleague Damian Collins at County Hall in Maidstone on Friday where they will make the proposals.

Mr Green said this week: “I share the widespread feeling that this time enough is enough and a better solution to any cross-Channel difficulty is not just necessary but urgent.”

Lorries queing coast bound between junction 9 and junction 10 in Ashford. Picture: Gary Browne
Lorries queing coast bound between junction 9 and junction 10 in Ashford. Picture: Gary Browne

“To all those who demand to know why it has taken so long the simple answer is that up to now no-one, even in Kent, has agreed on a solution.”

Yesterday, Mr Collins was among 10 Kent MPs who met with the Home Secretary Theresa May to speak to her about the impact continuous Stacks are having on the county.

He told KentOnline: “I think we succeeded in impressing the seriousness of the situation and in finding a solution.

Folkestone M20 from the J11a Channel Tunnel slip road. File picture: Paul Amos
Folkestone M20 from the J11a Channel Tunnel slip road. File picture: Paul Amos

“We discussed the need for a proper strategic approach from the government which I think the Home Office should take the lead in to deal with these major outbreaks of Stack.

“What it can’t cope with is days and days of continuous delays. We need a much bigger solution.

“I think she was very impressed with that approach.”

Mr Collins said the MPs also talked about the issue Kent Police commissioner Ann Barnes raised this week about the government reimbursing the force with the £700,000 it has cost so far.

He said: “There’s concerns with the policing budget within Kent. I think we should use the charging scheme from lorries which raises £30 million a year and say could we have that essentially when they have to babysit these lorries sat on the motorway.”

MP Damian Collins
MP Damian Collins

He added alternative sites such as the M26 shortcut between the M20 at Wrotham and M25 at Chipstead, the County Showground at Detling and Manston Airport should all be considered.

He also said he felt French authorities acted better when further strikes broke out in Calais on Tuesday than in previous weeks.

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