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Kent truck queues are humanitarian issue, says Logistics UK

[ April 13, 2022   //   ]

Operation Brock – the Kent traffic management system for dealing with disruption to travel across the English Channel – is becoming a humanitarian issue, argues Logistics UK. The system is leaving hundreds of truck drivers stuck without access to basic hygiene facilities, food and water, said policy manager – South, Heidi Skinner.

She said that Logistics UK was calling for an urgent review , adding that local residents are also left to cope with challenging road diversions and disruption. Recently, Operation Brock has been implemented for its first period of prolonged use and there are undoubtedly lessons that need to be learned. Truck drivers accessing the Short Straits have to use the set route to join the queuing system, and must stop to use facilities before they get too far along the route, as, once their vehicles enter the queuing system, they have no access to any facilities at all, including toilets.

Logistics UK says that drivers must be given access to basic welfare facilities while in long queues.

Skinner said that lack of full ferry capacity following the P&O Ferries stoppage has been the key contributing factor to the traffic queues, along with ferries that were out of action due to damage, bad weather and increased friction at the border caused by the UK’s departure from the EU.

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