Consider Stanford lorry park for tourist traffic, says FTA

The FTA has said that after severe delays on the way to Dover at the weekend, it is ‘the ideal opportunity to consider the feasibility of the proposed lorry area near Stanford being made available for tourist traffic’.

At the weekend drivers were waiting for up to 14 hours in Kent, as additional French security checks were made at the port.

“We do need to solve the root causes of congestion and delays at the Port,” said head of policy, South East England, Natalie Chapman. “Given the recent terrorist attack in Nice, FTA fully understands the need for heightened security and additional checks, but it is unforgiveable that the French border force was so under-resourced.

“Dover is vital to the UK economy with up to £120 billion worth of trade going through the Port every year. There must be better processes put in place at the Port with extra personnel drafted in at peak times – otherwise there is a risk that Operation Stack may be introduced and we cannot have a repeat performance of last year.”