Events in Calais over the last ten days have given us further cause for concern. Firstly, we have seen the threat of the return of major industrial action at the Port. Ferry workers set fire to tyres in protest at the failure of DFDS, as they see it, to honour commitments they have made regarding jobs. These scenes were highly reminiscent of the disturbances last summer when the striking ferry workers closed down Calais causing massive disruption to services across the Channel.
In addition to this, we saw a major breach in security at the Port of Calais when a group of 50 or more migrants from the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp gained access to a ferry waiting to depart to England. A few months ago I met with the President of the Port of Calais who assured me that, thanks to the additional high security fencing and police officers, that the area was safe from this kind of breach. Clearly more needs to be done by the French authorities to protect the Port. If this requires the deployment of their armed forces, then they should do so.
These two incidents are also a timely reminder of how activity in France, beyond our direct control can have an impact on life in Kent. We know that problems such as these can easily cause the delays and congestion that requires the implementation of Operation Stack.
Last Friday I attended a public meeting organised by Stanford Parish Council to discuss the proposals that have been put out to consultation by Highways England, to create a permanent off road lorry park, large enough to manage phases 1 and 2 of Operation Stack; these are the restrictions that require the closure of the M20 between junctions 8 and 9, and 10 and 11. We discussed a large number of issues and concerns relating to the lorry park proposals, and whilst we were not in agreement about them, I would like to thank the Parish Council for all of their work in organising this event, and encouraging people to respond to the consultation.
I believe that if we want to make Operation Stack, as we have known it, a thing of the past, then we have to create an off road parking area, that will allow us to keep our local roads and motorways open, with traffic moving freely, even when there are delays at the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel. I remain of the view, that of the two sites brought forward in the consultation, only the one to the west of Stanford would be acceptable. However, Highways England confirmed to me they will consider other options that have been presented to them during the consultation, and when they give their official conclusions will respond to these other sites as well. The consultation closed on Monday of this week, and now we have to await their verdict. If Highways England confirm the selection of a site, there will then follow the detailed design of the lorry park. The intention would be, subject to approval, that this new facility would be operational next year.
