A crackdown on lorries parking unlawfully in lay-bys and residential roads could be extended to other parts of the county.

Transport minister Jesse Norman said the trial of a scheme along the A20, in which hauliers have been fined heavily for so-called “fly-parking” has seen a significant reduction in HGVs parked along part of the A20.

The enforcement scheme began last October on an 18-month trial.

It prevents lorry drivers from parking overnight on the A20 between Charing and the Drovers roundabout.

Mr Norman announced the prospect of the extension of the scheme in a statement to Parliament today.

He also confirmed plans for a contraflow system along the northbound carriageway of the M20 to deal with Operation Stack.

He said the government would consider “further steps to make it easier for local authorities to take enforcement action against hauliers who park inappropriately.

In Kent, the trial on a stretch of the A20 of innovative enforcement approaches has had considerable success in its first six months of operation, with a significant fall in the number of vehicles parked overnight, and increased use of commercial parking facilities in the area, especially at weekends," he said.

“Subject to the findings of this 18-month trial, we will be looking to promote the wider application of such measures elsewhere.”

Ashford council says the initiative is proving to be a success with 679 lorries clamped between November and December alone.

Hauliers face paying clamping release fees of £150, plus a penalty charge notice fee.

Meanwhile, Labour has attacked the government for dithering about what it should do to tackle Operation Stack.

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary said: “The government’s approach to contingency planning for lorries on the economically vital M20 link to the port of Dover has been incompetent and disastrous.

"It had to scrap an important £250 million lorry park near the M20 last year because it got the plans wrong and has wasted millions on renting space for lorries at Manston Airport which has never been used.

“The scale of dithering and delaying since Operation Stack in 2015 is breathtaking.

"This is yet another empty announcement from a Government which prefers launching consultations to taking actions.”