Agenda item

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport thatprovides an update on the current position.

This item was brought forward for discussion by the Chairman as agreed at the start of the meeting.

Ann Carruthers, Head of Strategic Planning and Policy, introduced the report updating members on progress in finding a solution to Operation Stack. Ms Carruthers provided the following information;

      i.        That in 2015 Operation Stack had been in force for a total of 32 days.

    ii.        That the European Gateway Strategic Delivery Group had been trying to identify both short term and long term measures.

   iii.        The disruption in the June/July period has at least brought Operation Stack to the Government’s attention as a national issue, as opposed to a Kentish issue or an East Kent issue.

   iv.        It was confirmed that the relevant agencies through the Strategic Co-ordination Group have agreed with Government that, should Stage 2 of Operation Stack be needed, Dover bound HGVs will be diverted to the former Manston Airport site.

    v.        It was emphasised the use of the Manston Airport site was only a temporary short term measure.

   vi.        Ms Carruthers also brought the committee’s attention to paragraph 2.4 which listed the on and off highway measures presented to COBR.

  vii.        That Kent County Council would of course continue to work towards a long term solution to Operation Stack.

Mr Balfour, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, also spoke on this item and gave the following information;

      i.        That the international impact of Operation Stack was finally being recognised after its severity in 2015. Thanks were given to the media in their role in giving Operation Stack the attention it requires.

    ii.        That other lorry parks across the country were still considered the most suitable long term solution to Operation Stack.

   iii.        In regards to the use of lorry parks and ticketing Mr Balfour confirmed that he was pushing for the whole question to be taken more seriously.

   iv.        That it was critical Kent County Council, the Strategic Co-ordination Group and the European Gateway Strategic Delivery Group keep pushing this item to the top of Kent County Council’s and the Government’s agenda.

    v.        It was emphasised that Mr Balfour was grateful for the round-the-clock work of Kent County Council officers in mitigating issues in East Kent that came about while Operation Stack was in effect. 

In response to comments made and questions raised by members during discussion on this item Mr Balfour confirmed the following:

      i.        That overnight lorry parking as an issue would be addressed separately.

    ii.        That although money had been promised towards a solution to Operation Stack a guarantee of money towards it was still sought after.

   iii.        That solutions that can be put into effect as quickly as possible were being sought after.

   iv.        That Kent County Council had been assured that use of the Manston Airport site as a temporary solution would cease should it be considered to have made matters worse.

    v.        In regards to a query as to why Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) were not included in the Steering Group being established Mr Balfour explained that MBC were active members in other groups in regards to the management of Operation Stack and were not required as a part of the Steering Group for the delivery of long term solutions.

   vi.        That potential sites for lorry parks were being considered. Which sites were being considered could not yet be discussed, because of this Westenhanger could not be ruled out as an option.

It was suggested and agreed that the following be included in the recommendation;

“The Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee note and acknowledge the problems that potentially could be caused by using the Manston Airport site as a short term solution to Operation Stack.”

It was RESOLVED that the recommendation with the agreed addition be noted.

Ms Carruthers was given thanks by the Cabinet Member and committee for all of her hard work in this area.