The continuous application of Operation Stack on the M20 is costing the transport industry around £500,000 per day, which amounts to a £4 million bill, since the problems started February 28.

The freight industry is calling on the UK government to put pressure on France to end the SeaFrance strike and reinstate its service. Delays are averaging up to four hours on the M20 and there are more than 3,000 vehicles heading for France each day. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has estimated the operating costs of the vehicles delayed will be about £40 per hour.

FTA director of external affairs, Geoff Dossetter said: “The first priority is to end the SeaFrance dispute and get the traffic running smoothly again. The UK government must recognise the extent of these problems to the transport industry, both to businesses in Kent, and to Kent residents. It must use its influence with France to solve the dispute. It is ridiculous that lorry drivers and people in Kent have to suffer this continuing problem.

“FTA will be looking for some means of compensation in order to assist with some of the losses experienced by lorry operators,” he added.