New measures to fast-track time-sensitive cargo through the UK's 'Operation Stack' cross-Channel lorry-queuing system are a positive move, according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA).
Kent Police has agreed to pilot a filtering system that will identify loads such as fresh fruit, livestock, shellfish and emergency medicines and route them directly to the Port of Dover or Channel Tunnel without hauliers that transport them having to queue on the M20 or the newly designated area at Manston Airport.
FTA has been pressing for a priority scheme for 'quick to market' products, which it said can originate anywhere in the British Isles. Exports such as fish and live lobsters from Scotland could perish if hit by lengthy delays, it added.
Chris MacRae, FTA's head of policy for Scotland, said: "FTA was involved in emergency calls with the Scottish Government in an effort to resolve this issue. Valuable cargo of lobsters and fish were being held up in queues – this can't be allowed to happen. The new scheme is a sensible measure to ensure that loads aren't spoiled and 'quick to market goods' are prioritised."
It is anticipated that a maximum of 200 trucks per day will be given priority by police on production of a CMR declaration detailing the cargo. Only goods that could deteriorate in quality will be fast-tracked.
Any hauliers providing misleading information about their cargo will be escorted to the next junction and will have to join the back of the queue, FTA said. Kent Police said the scheme will be scrapped if it is abused.
The move was revealed this week alongside the announcement that the disused Manston Airport at Ramsgate would be used to supplement Operation Stack on the M20 in an effort to ease congestion on the motorway and surrounding roads, a move that the FTA said could provide respite for local businesses and residents, although a permanent solution was urgently needed.
Yesterday, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) also gave a cautious welcome to the news that the use of Manston Airport as a lorry park will be trialled to help alleviate congestion caused by the problems with the Dover-Calais crossing.
BIFA director general Robert Keen said: BIFA welcomes anything that will improve conditions for our members in the short term. It's only a short term fix, and will increase fuel costs, but we understand that this is a site where 2,000 lorries can be held, and will remove a lot of HGVs off the M20.
"However, we still insist that the British and French governments must do whatever is necessary to step up their protection of the routes across the Channel and fulfil their obligations to let trade move unhindered before serious damage is done to this strategic freight route."
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