Cross-Channel disruption: drivers’ needs

21 December 2016

When problems with the ferries or tunnel disrupt Channel crossings, lorry drivers need information about how long their delay will be and also a safe place to park.

These are the key findings of a Transport Focus report published today A safe place to park: what lorry drivers want during disruption to cross-Channel services.

Operation Stack, Dover TAP and the building of a new lorry park are ways of managing the disruption to ferries and the tunnel. They aim to prevent disruption to users of Kent’s roads.  Transport Focus, the independent watchdog, researched lorry drivers’ views of the current TAP traffic management system and their needs for the design of the proposed lorry holding area off the M20.

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 many local bus services.

“Providing somewhere for lorries to park that does not clog up the motorway is vital, so the Government’s initiative is very important.  We wanted to ensure lorry drivers’ needs are properly understood as the park is designed.  Our research showed their needs are pretty functional – toilets, showers, security.  As the length of time they’ll be there increases, drivers will need to have food and drink once they’ve consumed what they had with them.”

The research also showed that drivers’ priority while queuing on the A20 approaching Dover is for the information to be improved – specifically around the length of wait.

Ends

 

Notes to editors

Click here to read the research.

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

Dover TAP is the system where lorries queue on the A20 approaching the Port of Dover.

 

For further information please contact press office on 0300 123 2170.

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