Written question asked by Damian Green (Conservative) on Monday, 28 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 April 2005. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of journeys affected by Operation Stack on the M20.

Answer: Mr. Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of journeys affected by Operation Stack on the M20. [224457] Mr. Jamieson: During 2004 Kent police activated Operation Stack on six occasions. Between 27 January and 29 March 2005 it has been necessary to implement Operation Stack on 17 occasions because of the difficulties with the docking facilities in Calais and the effects of industrial action in France. Kent police do not hold detailed records that show how many vehicles have actually been affected by the implementation of Operation Stack. However, there are approximately 23,000 vehicles per day travelling on the M20 between Junctions 11 and 12 on the coastbound carriageway (Phase one of Operation Stack) and approximately 30,000 vehicles per day travelling between Junctions eight and nine on the coastbound (Phase two of Operation Stack). When Operation Stack is implemented a large proportion of these vehicles would have to alter their route, change their travel plans and may experience a delay to their journey.

Secondary information