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Traffic gridlock across Dover as lorries clog up M20, A20, A2 and town's roads - leaving residents trapped

Dover has become a complete no-go zone due to the traffic nightmare gripping the town.

The port has been described as "currently the worst place on earth", and the surrounding road network is littered with lorries parked at all angles.

Lorries going nowhere in the streets of Dover. Picture: UKNIP
Lorries going nowhere in the streets of Dover. Picture: UKNIP

Workers in the town have had to walk miles from their homes this morning in order to get in as the roads are unusable.

Residents are unable to use their cars to leave Dover or to head out for shopping or medical appointments, while those unfortunate to be stuck in the stagnant queues have been stationary for hours with no sign of movement.

Taking to Twitter, Rob Howbrook said: "People cannot get to work due to lorries blocking every route through town.

"It’s a continuous failure by all agencies to manage the traffic into Dover when there are issues in the channel.

Graham Adams said: "The worst issue is the gridlock we are now experiencing locally with parts of Dover and Folkestone completely jammed up. Each time this happens nobody seems to think about the wider knock on effects."

Vehicles have been stationary for hours. Picture: UKNIP
Vehicles have been stationary for hours. Picture: UKNIP

Others say lorries are blocking nearly every road in, with HGVs parked on roundabouts and junctions.

The traffic is at a standstill due to the introduction of Operation Brock, which has been brought in due to the disruption to cross-Channel ferry services.

Some residents are unable to get into their streets due to lorries blocking the entrances. Most of those who are in their homes have decided to have a lazy day in the house because of the traffic nightmare outside.

Neighbours say HGV drivers have been honking their horns day and night out of frustration, causing misery for those trying to sleep.

The A2 Jubilee Way is shut coast-bound and those heading to Dover from the Folkestone direction along the M20 and A20 are unable to get through the Roundhill Tunnel.

Lorries queuing at the Port of Dover. Picture: Stuart Brock
Lorries queuing at the Port of Dover. Picture: Stuart Brock

Its closure is having a knock-on effect in Folkestone, with traffic building on the Park Farm Industrial Estate.

The entrance to the Channel Tunnel is also incredibly snarled up, but not to the degree of Dover's port.

Meanwhile, further up the M20, the route is being used to hold lorries and remains closed coast-bound between Junction 8 for Leeds Castle and Junction 9 for Ashford.

There are long delays at the Channel Tunnel
There are long delays at the Channel Tunnel

The motorway is closed to all non-freight traffic heading to the coast, but the London-bound side remains open.

P&O ferries remain out of action and DFDS is running a severely reduced service due to adverse weather conditions, with customers advised not to travel to the port unless "absolutely essential".

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke says she is putting pressure on the Kent Resilience Forum to keep Dover clear with active roads management while the situation continues.

“The traffic disruption caused by P&O’s actions is very serious," she said.

Natalie Elphicke MP at the Port of Dover (55840608)
Natalie Elphicke MP at the Port of Dover (55840608)

"Coupled with adverse weather conditions and the Easter getaway traffic the situation has become severe. This can be expected to continue for the next few days.

“The problems have caused an unacceptable impact on our community, particularly at Whitfield, Aycliffe, Capel-Le-Ferne and in Dover town itself."

She says the gridlock highlights the need for upgrades to the Whitfield roundabout and A2, adding: "There needs to be stronger road resilience and capacity for traffic management across the Dover area."

Meanwhile, a statement from The Department for Transport (Dft) reads: “We are aware of queues at Dover, and the Kent Resilience Forum and local partners are working to minimise any disruption by deploying temporary traffic management measures as standard.

“This has been caused by a number of factors, including severe weather in the Channel."

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