In November 2015 the Government announced a £250m fund for a permanent solution to the problem of where to park lorries at times of cross-Channel ferry and tunnel disruption. There is a pressing need for an alternative to closing sections of the M20 – known as Operation Stack. Although this is used infrequently, it is hugely disruptive to road users.

Transport Focus is keen to ensure that what is provided meets the needs of lorry drivers and the freight industry, both major users of the Strategic Road Network. This research set out to explore what facilities lorry drivers want at the new lorry holding area. We also took the opportunity to understand their experiences of the Dover Traffic Assessment Project (TAP).