Traffic hell getting to the county's ports has been exacerbated after it emerged a major post-Brexit customs system crashed - adding extra time for lorries heading to the Continent.

As a result of the glitch, which HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said was finally fixed this afternoon, it was adding to the "nightmare scenario" for freight heading to France. Delays as a consequence will continue until Monday.

Operation Brock on the M20 has already been extended, turning the coastbound stretch between Junction 8 (for Leeds Castle) and Junction 11 (Hythe) into a make-shift lorry park for HGVs.

The Goods Vehicle Movement Scheme (GVMS) was designed and introduced by HMRC to allow exporters to register the goods they were transporting in advance, following the end of the Brexit transition period.

Once registered, lorry drivers would receive a Goods Movement Reference number as a barcode which, when scanned at the port or Eurotunnel allowed for swift boarding.

But the system crashed last week making the generation of the barcodes impossible.

As a result, drivers were being told they must show other documentation when they arrive.

HMRC says this added "mere seconds" to the process - but industry insiders say the government is deliberately playing down the problem and that it is, inevitably, adding additional delays for HGVs travelling abroad.

The ports are already under extreme pressure due to the lack of P&O ferries operating across the Dover to Calais short straits route and compounded by heavy Easter traffic.

An HMRC spokesperson said the problem with the system was resolved this afternoon: “Following an outage last week, we have successfully made changes to the HMRC network to allow availability of the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS).

"Contingencies will remain in place over the weekend to continue to ensure the movement of goods and allow continued testing. From Monday midday, Goods Movement References will be required for all movements using GVMS.”

The British International Freight Association said the IT issue was "compounding the situation" seen on Kent's roads as traffic tails back for miles on the M20 as well as heavy congestion on the M2.

It added the situation was not only adding to the time lorries were taking to check into the ports, but causing additional paperwork for freight forwarders - the intermediaries between the product manufacturer and the haulage companies - which arrange the export of goods.

Mike Parr is managing director of logistics and supply chain specialists PML. It recently splashed out more than £6million on setting up a new base in Lympne, near Hythe.

He said: "It's a massive problem for us right now.

"Being in this business at the moment is the ultimate headache to be honest. If the systems aren't working, you can't clear the product, which means you can't get through the port.

"We're like a third world country. We seem to wait until there's a huge problem and then we react. You can't work like that.

"The supermarkets won't want to take on the additional cost these delays are causing and it will be down to the hauliers who just have to absorb it - and as we know, drivers' wages aren't cheap these days."

Paul Mummery, spokesman for the Road Haulage Association (RHA), refused to be drawn on how much longer it was adding to journeys, but said: "It's part of a number of issues which are conspiring at the same time.

"It's a nightmare scenario for lorry drivers - they are the ones stuck in these long queues. There's a lack of facilities and to get food and water. To be stuck in queues for hours on end is an horrendous situation. I think they're the forgotten party in all of this."

Jo James, chief executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “Once again Kent is the victim of issues over which it has no control.

Every day that this continues results in more damage to Kent’s reputation

“The implementation of Dover TAP and Operation Brock, combined with the P&O debacle reducing physical capacity and I understand IT issues slowing processing, means large parts of Kent’s road network are log-jammed. The government must step in and support local firms and communities that have been affected.

“Local bus operators have been very badly hit which will reduce the ability of people to get around the county or get to work. Many will resort to travelling by car which then exacerbates the problem, or not be able to work.

“Every day that this continues results in more damage to Kent’s reputation as a place to do business in or visit, and that’s bad for the economy.”