Seminar: What do lorry drivers want during disruption to cross-Channel services?

17 January 2017

Transport Focus will host this seminar on Thursday, 19 January between 11.00am and 1.00pm at Dover Town Hall.

Transport Focus will present its most recent research¹ about lorry drivers’ needs for information when cross-channel disruption occurs. The research focuses on the information needs for lorry drivers queuing in Dover TAP² and the facilities they would need at the proposed lorry holding area.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said:

“Disruption to cross-Channel ferries or the Channel Tunnel can cause chaos for users of strategic and local roads in Kent, with many knock on impacts including on some local bus services.  We are delighted to present and discuss our research with key organisations involved in managing the issue in the county on Thursday.”

The seminar will provide the opportunity for organisations to discuss the research findings and recommendations.  Organisations attending include Highways England, the Department for Transport, Kent County Council, Dover District Council, Kent Police and freight transport bodies.

Attendance at the seminar

Anyone wishing to attend should contact Stuart Edwards on 0300 123 2182 or 07718 570014, stuart.edwards@transportfocus.org.uk  or for media Hazel Phillips on 0300 123 0858 or 07714 272415, hazel.phillips@transportfocus.org.uk.

Background information

1. The Transport Focus research is summarised in a report A safe place to park: what lorry drivers want during disruption to cross-channel services and published on 21 December. The research involved 245 face-to-face interviews on cross-Channel ferries and at roadside services near the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel in Spring 2016. You can view the original press release here.
2. Dover TAP is the system where lorries queue on the A20 approaching the Port of Dover.