Permanent answer to Operation Stack offered

Redirecting HGVs bound for Felixstowe port to a container ‘drop-off’ area with handling costs has been offered as a solution to Operation Stack. This is currently being considered by freight stakeholders. This solution was revealed in documents requested by Commercial Motor under a Freedom of Information request.

Despite concerns of double-handling costs, empty running, finding suitable land and security issues, consultants and officials are exploring the idea further.

A technical note produced by Aecorn, the consultants, states that HGV driving staff would unload their containers at another alternative site. It also said that after then the HGVs would be free to return to base or go on to other work, and that the containers would be shuttled into the port during the day and over night.

The note adds that the ‘drop-off’ idea is only one of six options being considered by trade associations, police, port and council officers. Pete Butler, the Road Haulage Association’s senior area manager fears that the preferred option will be to just expand the current Stack site on the old A45, but says:

“It’s not big enough. It’s only going to take around 200 lorries. The solution has to be future-proof. They’re going down the cheapest option route.”