Operation Stack plans set to leave drawing board
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by political editor Paul
Francis
Plans for a huge lorry park off the
M20 to cope when Operation Stack is implemented are likely to take
a major step forward within a year, according to Kent County
Council.
The politician in charge says a formal
planning application is expected to be submitted for the 70-acre
park capable of holding more than 2,000 lorries - provided a full
assessment of the environmental impact clears the way.
Cllr Bryan Sweetland (Con), KCC’s
cabinet member for highways, said he was expecting to press ahead
with a detailed planning application once the environmental study
was completed.
"We are going to complete the work and
off the back of that, we will be putting in a full planning
application. As far as we are concerned, it is still the only
viable option we have and is the only practical solution on the
table. The environmental assessment will probably take a year to
complete and we will look at the results."
The news is
likely to draw a mixed reaction. Local campaigners who are opposed
to the park plan for a site near Aldington will be dismayed that
KCC has not been persuaded to abandon the idea.
However, others will welcome the news
that there may finally be some progress in a much-delayed project
first unveiled three years ago.
KCC has been examining what it
describes as a "no frills" option for the park, which would not
involve the need for a new junction off the M20 motorway. A
solution to that has apparently now been found.
However, the issue of who would pay
for the lorry park - estimated at between £25m and £30m - remain
unresolved.
KCC hopes government plans to charge
foreign hauliers to use the UK’s roads could provide a way
forward.
KCC leader Paul Carter said the option
of using money raised by foreign hauliers should be considered.
"We have the inconvenience of being
the transport corridor. We will be lobbying very hard with the
Department of Transport and Mike Penning to make sure Operation
Stack Park, improvements to the M2 and M20 are made over the medium
term," he said.
Thursday, February 02 2012
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