Operation Stack Update: The Longest Stack in History

Kent Police is continuing to run Operation Stack on the M20 as the SeaFrance officers' strike continues. Police are operating phase two of Stack, which sees the closure of junctions 8 (Leeds Castle) to 9 (Ashford West) of the coastbound section of the M20.

This may need to be in place permanently until the industrial dispute is resolved, although there are contingency plans to enable Stack to be stood down if there isn't a need to have it running.

The carriageway is used to park lorries before directing them through to either the Channel Tunnel or ferries at Dover as space becomes available. Other traffic is diverted from the motorway at junction 8 onto the A20.

Phase one of Stack between junctions 11 and 12 coastbound is not in place as part of the current measure.

With no resolution in sight to the industrial action it is the first time in Operation Stack's history that Kent Police has had to close sections of the M20 for more than three days.