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Louise Ellman on Today Programme

June 1, 2016 Graham 0 Latest News

Here is Louise Ellman, Chair of the Transport Select Committee, interviewed by John Humphrys this morning on their report just out. It looks like the message has got through!

The report is here.

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Questionnaire comments

Not a good solution.

Quick solution - not well thought out solution.

Small lorry parks along the length of the M20

This is being rushed through.

More thought should be given to a lorry park being built. £250 million and it won't be needed most of the time. Dual carriageway would be better so it could then be used permanently instead of empty for most of the year.

[Yes I feel fully informed] but it makes no sense.

Many [concerns need to be addressed].

This is madness

Many [concerns still need to be addressed]

Too depressed. Really worried about Gibbins Brook.

Supposedly 1,000 letters delivered to affected areas. My home is not far away yet we didn't receive anything! What is going to happen to the Brook? SSI land with areas of concrete and pollution. How is that looking after environmental concerns?

NO to the lorry park.

Kent ratepayer

What worries one is the terrible destruction of 250 acres of good agricultural land. The park is liable to be empty for most of the year, unless the French become even more bolshie.

Carry on fighting!

I suppose none of the politicians and councillors live here and tell you what they think you want to hear. Disappointing.

This seems a pointless exercise & waste of public money as nothing has changed from December.

Told them that they should start looking after their responsibilities that they currently are responsible for.

Also, it will not allow the lorries to continue their journey.

Therefore it will not save money.

Very secretive - didn't answer questions directly.

Absolutely preposterous to destroy yet more grassland & nature!!!

I am against any idea of corrupt political decisions to destroy any part of nature for money!

We should not have it. We should put it near Dover ... {can't read the rest of the comment!}

Not cost-effective for surrounding business and no real purpose for something only 32 days.

This will not work

Unfortunately feel it should be larger.

Inadequate facilities, therefore sewage problems for locals.

Immigrations worries - mecca for immigrants?

Vast area sacrificed for a few days of European strikes/inclement weather.

Use Manston instead

Don't build the lorry park/area

Size too large. Smaller multi car parks. Manston.

Use the railways to carry the lorries as do the French and European countries. Another shipping line for the crossing Dover/Calais is needed urgently.

More parking not one mega park

There should be a lorry park, but needs to have the right place for placement of all lorries.

They claim not to need planning permission.

I hope it doesn't go ahead. Smaller lorry parks spread around.

The officials here are NOT experts and have NO answers to my reasonable questions.

I don't think that our concerns were taken seriously, not listened to, and no thought has been given to the impact this will have on the local communities and lives.

Initial consultation was poorly publicised.

Feel it's a waste of money for the limited use it will set.

[Still have worries about] the whole thing.

I resent paying rates & taxes for con urbanisation of the south east.

Why has no one in authority not got another shipping line into Dover/Calais route to replace the one HMQE11's legal guys cleared out on the monopoly lark.

The services on all aspects (water in particular) plus roads, electric and other.

Also proposals for further building

Disagree with the need for a lorry park.

Should be alternatives to freight on the road through Kent and Channel ports.

If new speed limits are to be implemented, how are the foreign drivers going to be controlled. Closing J11 while Stack is set up is totally unacceptable to locals.

M20 J11 needs an exit

More needs to be done to protect the Gibbons Brook, such as keeping boundary well away from the area. In general it is a disaster to cover so much of Kent in concrete. It will not even work.

Total madness, not a solution to Stack.

Feel Operation Stack will still happen, as lorries will still queue rather than lose their slot. Lorry Park would only be used if no Cross Channel service in operation.

According to HE the Stanford lorry park will not totally solve the problem of Operation Stack, and the lorry park is only a temporary measure as HE plan to use smarter technology in future. How can HE justify spending £250 million on a temporary measure.

Should not be all in Kent - should be countywide on all the motorways M20 and M2 leading to Dover and Eurotunnel. No political will to spread the solution.

Still consider a number of smaller parks to be the best solution

It is a waste of time and money.

Not required.

Opposition has been skilfully blocked. A major demo to attract public attention is needed.

All ridiculous!

It has grown from local ???? park TO big truck park TO huge truck park - that will not get used - what will the land become then - an immigration centre perhaps?

It seems that projects like this are pushed through regardless of what local residents wish.

Enough is enough.

How often has Stack been implemented this year?

This is a knee-jerk reaction to an exceptional event.

Why have a lorry park at all?

Why here?

Why so big?

Why have one big lorry park/area?

Why so big?

Other proposals have been overlooked and the scheme seems like a panicked reaction to a problem that's been mounting for years.

Not happy they are going to close J11 when Stack is in operation.

Stack has not happened so the lorry park will be a white elephant.

Our concerns over pollution, in particular water borne, and air were not alleviated.

I feel that other options have not been considered, smaller bay parks spread out using technology for virtual queuing etc.

The environment rep said I can't exactly tell the Secretary of State you've got it wrong. I replied Well you could. He replied I would get kicked off the job. Sums it up really!!

Difficult to follow effect upon residents north of lorry park. Will probably affect housing prices, not to mention movement north & south.

Pollution and noise

This is NOT good for anyone who lives from J8 of the M20 through to Dover - we have ONE occasion in the last 20 years where the M20 was closed for an extended length of time. The lorry park is an excessive knee-jerk reaction which is badly planned and will make the situation worse - not better.

How can we stop it!?

WE WANT IT STOPPED

The problem is Dover's.

The solution should be Dover's.

MOD land at Dover is not used and public owned.

Unprintable

No Operation Stack for over a year. It's unnecessary

White elephant

This site will not be big enough.

Are the lorries going to be stopped from parking on local roads/layby & pathway along A20.

If such a lorry park was required, why not on farmland beyond J11 before Channel Tunnel. This would cause less upheaval to local villages.

What about the parking on road verges to avoid having to pay to park if this goes ahead. Surely bollards need to be costed in to stop casual parking

Why not shut the M26. We do need a solution for Op Stack

No sign of any guarantee

1 - Better value if the Op Stack area (N of motorway) could be used for something in between the very few times it will be used.

2 - Further sites should be developed further up country

3 - Enforcement measures need to be improved to stop trucks parking outside designated parks

We don't want the lorry park here

Very poor consultation to date with all parishes involved

Whatever we feel, all decisions have been made.

The 24 hour extension to Stop 24. There will be a charge made to use facilities. The lorries may still use verges and local roads to park up overnight. There needs to be more bollards to stop parking and fines imposed. I am concerned about long term future of Operation Stack lorry park, when in 5 years, it proves to be unused. Then what next. I agree with smarter options of multiple smallers parks across the motorway network, rather than this huge park area.

Council playing long game in future land will be built on! When lorry park becomes not viable.

Our opinions are sought on wishy washy proposals

The display was informative, but that does NOT mean I want the lorry park

[Fully informed] Plans yet to be finalised - detail not known. Principal funding by government confirmed. Just build it! How, where, what by whom not yet determined.

[Still have concerns] ..

- Business of J11 of M20 when lorries arriving/leaving

- Frequency of use??

- Justification of spend vs. actual need

All the missing detail to be declared but when?

An expensive and non efficient proposal for a problem which does not really exist.

Impact on local properties still unclear.

I have asked to be considered to have my cottage purchased by Highways England.

Don't want it in Kent. Build it the other side of London

If this had to happen, why is overnight parking limited? Why is there no model for eating, sleeping etc that could produce revenues.

Yet another slice of Kent going under concrete to placate big businesses at the cost of local residents

Send them to Manston

I feel it is a waste of time trying to stop this - it has been decided

Waste of taxpayers money as it is unlikely it will be used.

Complete waste of time - decisions already made

We do not believe this will solve the problem.

Look at pollution of village streams. Why not have many lorry parks on route from London instead of all at Stanford. Good signs are available on all motorways to divert.

Not wanted

Criminally insane

Too big

Keep all lorries out of Kent if port/s is/are closed

To take 250 acres of prime farmland out of production at a cost of £250 million is ludicrous. We will need our farmland in the future to provide food for an ever expanding population.

I feel it's a done deal

Not enough provision for the future. All concentrated in one place.

They don't really know the answers to most of the questions and want to pass you on to another.

No to lorry park

Considerable concerns in relation to environmental risk.

Long term unjustifiable impact on the landscape.

Impact on property & local quality of life.

I think the scheme is barking mad. Getting the lorries into the park will create almost as much trouble as Stack itself.

That other avenues should be investigated to relieve the problem i.e. open Ramsgate up for shipping as Manston is being used for holding lorries.

I object to the wilful destruction of SE Kent

Stop it now before you make a huge mistake.

Consideration should have been given much earlier to taxation of vehicles, over transportation of unwanted goods & alternative out routes.

Damian Collins is a career politician with very little concern for this area, unlike other MP's on local issues!

What about the toilet facilities as no water is on site and portaloos are not the answer. What will happen is more plastic bottles and plastic bags dumped wherever!

Do not build here as it will not be the answer.

I don't feel listened to and that any other options are being explored.

Air pollution, contamination of land has not been sufficiently addressed.

No one taking into account the increase of local traffic in the area from housing developments at Martello Lakes and the proposed 12,000 homes in the area. We moved to this area to live in the country, not to be part of a future urbanisation - this is just the thin end of the wedge!

To SOS KENT - Well done and keep up the good work

48 days in 20 years - 32 in one year - does not justify this scheme.

Should not be built.

I am against the lorry park owing to fumes, it's ugliness and where there was fields will be ugly fences. Will cause property prices to drop.

The area involved is far too large. This park should be at least halved in size and AT LEAST one other park built further up the M20 - say at Maidstone.

Lorries should be parked up throughout the country not held at the monstrous lorry park.

I would like to see more info.

£250 million could be much better spent than a one off site.

I am vehemently against taking the countryside for acres of unnecessary tarmac.

HE's report is quite inadequate as it does not take into consideration the development at Nichols Quarry and the garden village.

Still very concerned about pollution, especially now so much publicity being given to DANGERS of diesel fumes. Also noise and light pollution.

[I feel I have been informed to some degree] because there is a very large volume of material to be assimilated.

[I still have concerns] because basic concepts poorly worked through.

Pleased to have the opportunity to discuss and see the ideas albeit flawed.

Completely unacceptable - environmental reasons

Every time I meet these people things have changed!!

Well presented.

I am heartbroken that this is going ahead despite massive local opposition.

Local politicians do not care about residents of the environment. I'm especially sad for people in and around Stanford.

We do not need a lorry park. It will not solve Operation Stack. They are closing J11 anyway!!

Keep our farmland & wildlife for our children's future!

Lorries will still park on road and cause littering problems and damage to roads.

£250 million wasted on it & yes it will blight the Garden of England as it was once called. It's being destroyed unnecessarily. No!

It would be a drain on the taxpayer.

Build hospitals instead.

Money could be better used elsewhere. Hospitals?

What happens in the times the park is empty - which is most of the time. Operation Stack - 16 days of use in 19 years.

Arrogant & ability not to answer questions.

I think it has been too rushed with insufficient careful planning. If it goes ahead on such a massive, untested project, it'll be too late to undo the damage - law of unintended consequences!

Where did the movable barriers project go? Wasted cost or better reasons.

Only the usual. A lot of land wasted as always. Massive disruption for locals. Congestion on local roads.

The whole idea is a disaster, which once implemented cannot be undone.

It is absolutely disgraceful that something of this magnitude can get the go ahead based on limited info.

You need to re-consult with the public again as the 1st consultation was flawed, not well publicised and no one knew about the scale of this monster!

I am still concerned about the lack of process before consent and potential future planning implications should the park not be used. Also that adequate budget is made available for mitigation works.

Informed is wrong word - told what seems to be a done deal.

[Still have concerns about] rats, raves, excrement, noise, risk of criminal behaviour (drugs, drink, prostitution).

This proposal is totally unsuited to address an infrequent (less than 1 per year) problem.

The issues of managing freight through Kent is NOT a Kent problem - the freight goes countrywide and the issue should be addressed throughout the whole freight route.

There are other options:-

- Move the park closer to London if there has to be one.

- Make Eurotunnel build a holding park in France. They have the land.

Charging lorry drivers for overnight parking will not work. It didn't work at Ashford. They will just do as they do now and park illegally on quiet roads in towns & villages.

A decision has been taken and local opinion ignored. The environment will be totally spoilt.

Operation Stack needs to be managed in some way, but I wouldn't like it on my doorstep!

We have not had Stack for a while - this is a hammer to crack a nut - why not split lorries further up and have those for Docks go down M2 and those for Tunnel on M20?

Monstrous proposals!!! Far too big a proposal. Learn from the French who distribute the parking over several places.

[Do you still have worries?] Absolutely - your experts won't have the problems on their pads, how will they ever understand?

Would you agree to having this outrageous project on your site ... a site of outstanding beauty???

A worry is that Highways England will want yet more land in the future.

Only advantage COULD be a super-hub to increase broadband speed.

This plan could be added to the future.

Happy that HE are listening.

I feel I have just had it put in my face, and only now, I'm being told, more a say in the design.

[I still have worries] mainly due to compensation, which seems to be needing a bespoke plan.

I feel that this whole process has been rushed through, surely something this scale should take years to plan.

Paul Harwood is still full of lies and mistruths. He would not admit that he had been wrong in saying Eurotunnel and Dover Harbour Board were for a giant lorry park.

I feel there is a lot of information being withheld.

This is scandalous.

There is no assessment of the impact on the community/people's lives.

I feel this area is under threat from overdevelopment, what with this, & multiple building projects.

I do not believe Highways England have told anyone the complete truth even yet.

There is a need for a lorry park but surely the scale and cost is epic! This feels like a knee-jerk reaction to Op Stack 2015 which was exceptional.

[To some degree I have been fully informed] but still not satisfied. I have lived in Folkestone all of my life and it is only in recent years that we have had a problem with flooding. We are having more and more concrete laid in this part of the country than ever and my theory is that we are sinking. However, it will get worse than ever if the lorry park is built.

Abandon the whole stupid idea and find another way to solve the problem of Stack. If Eurotunnel and P&O ferries want the business, they should be doing more to help the situation. I think that Brian M45@aol's idea is much better.

What a waste of good farm land

Why did Highways not use the blocks to divide lanes never used after first time. When first used it appeared to work.

[I didn't feel my voice was heard] because no one was taking notes, but designers have a job to do ... Pity there wasn't a member of the Government in attendance.

[Still have concerns about] ...

* Facilities - no definite plans eg loos/showers/cafe/petrol for 3,600 people at least.

* pressure on water supply.

IT WON'T BE BIG ENOUGH as 5,000+ lorries were stacked last year!

I am going to another consultation after studying the publicity from Highways England.

It feels that whatever problems there are, nothing wil stop or change the impact.

It's not a 'consultation', rather an information.

The impact on Gibbons Brook SSSI will be significant and insufficient mitigation seems possible.

Feel I've made my thoughts known.

The closure figures they use for motorway closures relates only for 2015, the year when the principle cause was strikes by the French. This year has been back to the normal very occasional closure! Is it not required - not financially viable, spoken by a retired bank & company chairman, with business in Ashford with 35 vehicles.

250 acres of concrete lying empty when Stack is not used.

There are higher priorities for Kent - flood defences.

They've not taken into account the fire risk of having so many lorries parked within a small area. I was told the fire engines would take 30 minutes to attend!

Extremely disappointed that this project is being rushed at such speed unnecessarily at tax payers' expense.

A rush job

Finish M2 into Dover

Main focus needs to be on how it can improve quality of life in the surrounding areas.

Still worried about immigrants.

How many bottles of wee will we get along our roadside and in our gardens.

Waste of money and a massive blot on our landscape.

They only tell you what you want to hear. When asked if they lived in the area they said no. When asked if they would like to live near the lorry park, surprise surprise, no comment.

There are many issues that need to be addressed, but I don't think that they will listen.

We don't want it.

[Still have concerns about] how local people are supposed to cope if Junction 11 is shut.

The whole thing is very wrong. What happened to putting the lorries in the Channel Tunnel and getting them off the roads.

[Still have concerns about] noise mitigation and lack of access to the pond

The viability of spending so much money for occasional Operation Stack

Forgot to raise possibility of using Beechbrook the old HS1 railhead

National problem not a Shepway problem.

This is proof positive that democracy is a dead duck when the government wants something.

No consultation has ever been carried out to directly compare local feeling between the lorry park and the status quo. Why was the question not asked? This has only been presented as a done deal.

What about fire risk!

They say the area may be amended.

They seem to have forgotten us on the A20.

A complete whitewash!

It is just a foregone conclusion, local views are of no consideration.

It's not needed. Operation Stack is an inconvenience & does not merit a 250 acre lorry park.

This is an ill conceived plan entirely reflective of the disastrous government planning this country has been subject to for years.

Absolute shambles, not needed, waste of money, blight to the area, devalue properties!!!

I feel that the south site seems sensible, however I do feel environmental issues have been carefully considered, if plan is constructed as plan indicates however I feel budget constraints may become an issue.

I believe this project will be an aesthetic and environmental disaster.

Why 3,600 lorries? If, say, a lorry park were available for 2,500 lorries, then the small area next to Stanford could be planted up.

I still question the need for such a large park, but do not have a problem with the extension to Stop 24.

This project will be death to our village & there should be consideration of other, better solutions.

Complete waste of £250 million taxpayers' money, total white elephant that will bring further traffic chaos.

This is a national problem. The government should take measures to ensure the free flow of traffic to and from the continent.

I don't think other opinions/avenues have been sufficiently explored. The project is a knee-jerk reaction to Operation Stack which is insufficient reason to build a park this size and destroy our countryside.

We cannot believe that HE are going ahead with this outrageous scheme

It's all the fault of the French. Why should we pay for it? (On top of the millions we give them as they can't control their own borders.)

What is driving this - the money could be better used elsewhere & Operation Stack hasn't operated for over a year.

Terrorism.

Canterbury.

London.

Nuclear power station.

Eurostar.

Reinstate Stone Street.

No to north park.

Ambulance station & medics needed.

Charge illegally parked lorries.

Stop spending money on projects not needed!

I feel this is a public disgrace and the decision needs to be revisited.

I have great concern re flooding as the River Stour does not cope well in winter not only flooding locally, but also Ashford, Canterbury & Sandwich. I was told water would be held & treated before discharge but feel the quantity involved is too great in rainy times. I am also concerned re water supply as parts of the village have problems with water pressure during drought.

Nothing about light pollution.

Undemocratic process driven by politicians.

No person present will take any responsibility and hide behind group deniability. Why no surnames given by people present?

Different ideas from different reps depending on who you talked to.

DISGUSTING!

I am even more scared for my future and my country's future.

We need to be heard. Questions need to be answered.

Very cross about this!

Chap I spoke to didn't care about the environment.

N/A

Not at this time.

The environmental impact from a pollution point of view did not take into consideration Otterpool Garden Town, the plan for a car park next to the train station, or even the industrial estate on the triangle.

This will HUGELY impact me, my bedroom is close to the lorry park and I am most nights already woken by the noise from Stop 24 lorry park, so this will be made so much worse.

Security real issue when not in use for Stack. Skates/motorcross etc.

Why is there no coordination with Otterpool proposals? Two major projects in the area and they are apparently proceeding independently because timelines are different.

Why there is no co-ordinations between Otterpool proposals.

[I have only been informed] so far as they have deemed OK to tell us. Need much more info. Why the rush?

Please try to find out more/different options?

No lorry park in this location can provide a 'solution' to Operation Stack.

We suspect it will be a huge white elephant and will over time become redundant.

No. Disgusted with the whole project.

Please god it does NOT happen!

None

This is an experiment, no considerable time given for proper planning, no alternative options put forward. People were not qualified or experienced enough representing the exhibition.

There will be 100's of male lorry drivers, lonely & bored, most will not be a problem, but some will impact on residents. Rapes and other crime will occur. Children will be less safe.

It's a complete disgrace.

No. Total obfuscation.

It's a shocking waste of money and will not 'solve' the supposed problems of Operation Stack and will add to the consequences of overnight lorry parking.

Do we need a lorry park now we have Brexit?

They answered the questions but I don't want it at all and that doesn't seem an option now - just minor adjustments can be made.

There should be small lorry parks all over.

The engineers in Highways know that the scheme is unworkable but tell us that the Ministers have already decided to build the lorry park for political reasons.

Are HE going to build houses on lorry park

Told Shepway Council think lorry parking in laybys due to lack of lorry park??

Concerned about closure of Junction 11 coastbound when park in use. Told traffic would go to 12 ??

More traffic through Sellindge Junction 10.

Closure of public rights of ways - footpaths.

No idea/answers why needed with such few M20 closures over past 5 years.

A20 traffic to increase dramatically.

Will not reduce illegal roadside parking.

Why is work already underway if consulting.

They are trying but do not have their own information finalised.

The notion of a mega park is not the solution.

Why does it need to be so vast and why aren't they using the original car park south of M20.

I asked my questions and all were answered and addressed.

I have a concern regarding all the survey lorries which are driving far too fast around the lanes, just missing cars and horses. Seems like the lights MAY be on every night whether it is in use or not. What happens if it never gets used as planned. Will it be built on?

No reason that a contra-flow wouldn't ease the congestion on local roads. Quick enough to do it on the M3/M1/M6 and other M roads. Someone is making money!

Worse than expected.

The wrong solution to a potentially non-existent problem.

Original size from 150 acres to 250 acres.

Nobody able to give definitive answers.

I still don't know why one park and not several smaller parks suitably dotted, or why other options were unsuitable.

HE and representatives don't think the park will work either! They agree that having to close J11 in Stack is a rubbish solution. They don't know why other options were rejected. They are just doing as they were told.

I feel the project has been rushed through, in between governments.

Still waiting for HE's response to the alternatives that many people have suggested.

This was a presentation of a decision already made. The consultants were eloquent in their subjects but the principles & logic of this facility were absent.

Need of mega-park not proven.

One terrible year in past 30 years.

Terrible idea

Money would be better spent on the NHS.

There is NO justification for this lorry park.

No operations management in place.

Floor plain

NOT WANTED - far better to have much smaller parks spread out over the country.

Money could be better spent on the NHS.

Don't think it is necessary as will only be used on a very few occasions.

Traffic problem should be addressed throughout the county not just here.

Feels it is inevitable.

Feel helpless.

Put it at Samphire Hoe

All a bit vague. Too many standard answers along lines of continued consultation. Looks like decisions have been made and that's it.

This is an expensive destruction of farmland & countryside as a knee-jerk reaction to a bad year in 2015. It ignores that Operation Stack hasn't been required in 2016.

Together with the Otterpool development it is all too much!

Not at this time

Watch this space.

[Still have concerns about] lighting, environmental issues.

Poor 1st consultation.

2nd consultation changes again.

Can't believe it will be locked up when not in use for Stack. Better to stop the lorries coming into Kent.

Wouldn't want to be living near it myself.

We have been poorly served by our MP and local councillors.

Not sure that lorry park is required. Large expenditure for very little use.

As a solution to the problem associated with Stack this proposal is entirely ill-conceived. There are more appropriate and cost-effective solutions than this - such as use of the M26.

There must be better ideas.

Don't do it!

Will be a total disaster:

a) For area and locals

b) Freight movements

c) Environment

d) Won't solve the Op Stack problem

Who is making the money?

So far probably the best possible well balanced plan/half solution to a most vexing problem. And YES there is/will be a cost whatever solution is found and implemented.

After a quick overview, this project seems to be somewhat 'half-baked'.

If it goes ahead I would object to it being operated by a private company.

We are tackling this problem on the wrong side of the Channel. Using a series of smaller upstream parks and smart technology is better as an option, increasing rail freight and developing Manston as a cargo hub would reduce vehicles.

Many of the things left to do should have been completed before the process has got this far. It seems that the plans are not thought out at all.

The consultations should have been held before the scheme was approved.

Very expensive car park for lorries.

Why in face of both opposition and the knowledge that it is a failed proposal are HE pushing ahead.

When requesting a copy of the consultation report & Secretary of State for Transport decision, as displayed on their board, I was handed Public Consultation Event Evaluation Form

Plenty, but time/space do not allow.

An ill-conceived idea with too little planning and thought.

Our local MP has let us down again.

[Still have concerns about] air quality, ecology, noise and dust.

STAGED lorry parks from London - Maidstone - Ashford - Dover

You don't take any account of ordinary people's views, and you never have, and you never will. This, I believe, is called democracy!! Any suggestions??

What will happen now we have Brexit : Answer No idea

So why go ahead

It is a huge concern that the lorry park is going to be so large. When there are other areas that could also take some of the load.

A lorry park of this size would be catastrophic for this area of Kent.

All our green spaces are being taken.

Why should the British public pay for it and not the French government, as it is them that cause it (Operation Stack).

We don't need this big expanse of concrete. It hasn't been needed so far.

Maybe the small overnight lorry park to stop antisocial behaviour.

Can't think of a worse site in terms of visual impact and on an area of natural beauty.

Drivers will still try to avoid and park on local roads.

Why did they not extend Ashford lorry park before they gave permission for housing.

They say it's a done deal - one year from now.

Simply thankful for the opportunity to express my views and frustration.

[Still have concerns about] security, costs (to build and to operate), security about no further future expansion.

Financing - should not be ours.

Happy to help with lobbying protests.

If there is a charge to lorry drivers it won't be used. Why build something that won't be used? Why are the government no longer subsiding freight trains? A far better way of easing congestion and environmentally friendlier.

I would vote against it.

Not qualified to make any suggestions.

I find it difficult to accept that this project is supported by the local council and Damian Collins. What next?

I live near Felixstowe and therefore understand the issue.

Just forget the proposal entirely. What a complete and utter waste of taxpayers' money.

Devastation of farmland is a disaster and not necessary. There must be another answer.

After Brexit land goes down they want to buy land at cheaper price to put project on it and make loads of money. For environment very bad. Should build lots of services so can work for everyone.

Total waste of money and will not resolve the problem.

I believe that the M26 solution for Stack should be considered and strongly recommended. The second part of the present plan to provide overnight parking - a quite different problem - does have merit as it would be easier to prevent the present situation when lorries park on kerbs all around the district.

Don't do it!

This lorry park will not work and not build on farmland.

Find another site for it.

Put it somewhere else.

R.O.W (will not be stopped up in normal time)

The agenda is already been agreed, but why take 20+ years to do something in 18 months. You never listened to us years ago. You know best because you think your job dictates it.

More definite information on compensation for local residents.

Would like to join any action taken.

DO NOT DO IT - THINK AGAIN

We [MOTIS] have written a detailed report on the subject.

At no point were we made aware that there was a [previous] consultation - unlike this time when we received a letter.

[Concerns remain] re: Noise as a 4 metre bund does not seem adequate, compared with the bund at the Eurotunnel site.

Re: Pollution and water run-off. The holding tanks would need a huge capacity given the increasingly frequent freak rainfall.

Permanent blight on the land for infrequent, temporary usage.

Once again it's developers looking at their bit, but with no concern to the larger area and knock on impact to local residents and communities.

We feel that in this area decisions are made either prior to information given to local residents and when we are asked for our opinions we are ignored.

This is not the best solution.

It will be underused.

Won't solve the problem.

Waste of money.

I will be filling in the consultation document. Interested in any protest arranged.

Clearly decision made - nothing will change.

There wasn't enough time to ask all my questions & there wasn't anyone who could answer the questions. The people who were there couldn't answer questions as they weren't the experts.

There is no real data evidencing the impact this 'solution' will have. Only data for last year 32 days stack. Nothing for current year to date or previous years.

None of the 'experts' had put their suggestions for mitigating some of the issues. It was very child like - they need to ask what suggestions we have but nothing about what might help re water, air, noise, environment etc.

Not enough time to ask to see supplementary documents.

This has not been thought out well and is not the answer to Op Stack and HGV overnight parking.

This is a totally inappropriate development. It is not worth it.

No lorry park required here.

What more will they grab?

I still don't trust them.

People have tried to answer my questions, but reveal the flaws in the whole process. I will be continuing to email my views to HE, MP's etc.

A lorry park will not solve any issue!!

HE should be very ashamed.

Please do not build on valuable farmland!!

There's no need to waste £250 million on a white elephant which devastates people's lives. No need for a mega lorry park.

I still have fears and concerns that need to be addressed:-

1) Cost - money could be spent on NHS!

2) Total dismissal of alternative options

3) Pollution

4) Crime

5) Loss of green countryside/farming land

6) Road infrastructure

7) Devaluation of property

I still don't understand the need for a mega lorry park.

1) £250 million should be spent on NHS

2) Totally against tarmacing over countryside when smaller brownfield sites are already available.

3) Affects/devastates people's lives

4) Pollution - smoke, noise, light, crime, prostitution, fears & worries.

5) Not even a solution as Op Stack will still be needed.

6) In this day & age must use technology/apps with smaller lorry parks throughout the country.

7) Widen M2/A2 & use Dover existing brown sites.

8) Consider the future, children, grandchildren - we cannot keep tarmacing over green countryside/farmland.

9) Greenhouse effect in Stanford/Sellindge/Kent/UK

10) Freight off road onto railway

We live in XX Swan Lane. We are worried about field at the end of our garden.

No! No! No! to lorry park and lorry area.

I feel that I have been totally MISinformed. This whole absurd idea is being railroaded through regardless of anyone's view or wishes.

Really now feel it's a done deal.

Lots of questions to be answered.

This is a huge blot on a lovely village in what should be the Garden of England. We moved here for peace & quiet and grass not noisy engines, fumes and concrete!

It feels a foregone conclusion. The 'badges' don't care! The consultation is just a legal process that has to be done - not to hear us.

There has been NO local consultation about how it will affect local communities. At the moment we are trying to sell our house which is being affected by this monstrosity.

We are presented with a fait accompli. The main cause of Operation Stack in 2015 were strikes on the French side. Surely this ought to be resolved with no strike agreements?

Why does our MP not support the community.

I still don't understand how concept has grown to 250 acres from 150 acres. This is an ill thought out concept, when there are other options available.

I still don't understand why it has mushroomed in size. The whole proposal is a violation of the county, its people etc.

I only got answers to some questions and don't know what other things I should be asking. The consultation is on the wrong solution to the problem.

There is no real information if it is going to be used for Dover TAP.

The proposals appear to be a fait accompli. It seems that the government can, and will, proceed whatever the public feedback from these events.

Having spoken to the project leader whose main response to the need for a lorry park was It is what the government wants, I feel very dissatisfied and concerned. The lorry park will not be a solution and is inappropriately sited.

Not required. Political move.

The expert consultants were hoping to alleviate damage to some degree. Lies, misrepresentation and vague assurance throughout.

The overnight parking must be larger and the company should be charged not the driver to ensure payment. Police must be able to move them off other roads!

I have no objection to a small lorry area not destroying valuable agricultural land. Smaller parks alongside motorway services, lorries then on motorways.

I feel it is a clear a decision has been made and this is just trying to sugar the pill. I cannot agree that this scheme will solve the problems and it will just turn our corner of the Garden of England into a concrete park.

It won't work but no one seems to care - Environmental disaster. Empty consultation - paper exercise. Won't change anything.

This will not stop Operation Stack! Once hard standing has been put in place it can not be removed once it has been realised that this is not a solution.

On asking to speak to an expert on drainage and the river system, the HE minion said I know about water - it runs down hill. Ha ha!. This shows the contempt HE has for residents, allowing this idiot to meet with the public about to have their lives ruined. Also, why the hell did we have to go to Sellindge to see the plans - Stanford ignored again.

They are still not addressing the issue of drainage and flood risk to the area - just saying it will meet regulations.

NO to the lorry park.

Kent Ratepayer

I cannot agree that this scheme will solve the problems and it will just turn our corner of the garden of England into a concrete park.

LIGHT, POLLUTION, SEWERAGE, PROSTITUTES, CRIME

CANNOT READ

WHY IS DOVER/CALAIS ROUTE USED AS A PLUG HOLE FOR LORRIES EXITING THE UK. THERE ARE OTHER UK PORTS

CANNOT READ

THIS EXPERIENCE WAS VERY BAD

HAVE SMALLER AREAS BETWEEN M25 & M20 A2

JUST SO WORRIED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO SELL MY PROPERTY BECAUSE OF THE PENDING LORRY PARK

WHAT ABOUT DOVER TAP - IS THIS GOING TO USE THE PARK - I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT PLANNING FOR THAT

POP-UP CALLED THE PROBLEM ONLY REFERS TO 2015 STACK. NO INFO ON THE FACT THAT ITS ONLY BEEN ON ON AVERAGE OF 2 DAYS A YEAR FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS

SELLINDGE VILLAGE IS NOT INCLUDED ON MAPS. BEING RUSHED THROUGH TO QUICKLY

THE HAVE LIED ABOUT THE ORIGINAL SIZE. THEYARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT ON LOCAL PEOPLE. THEY HAVEN'T INVESTIGATED OTHER PROPOSALS IN FULL. PAUL HARWOOD SAID WE MAY NOT BE COMPENSATED

THE WHOLE PROJECT SHOULD BE RE-THOUGHT OUT. THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES OUT THERE, JUST NEED TO ACT ONTHEM

I WAS TOLD THIS IS GOING TO FLY

POOR RESPONSE LOCAL MP

THE LORRY PARK IS NOT NEEDED, NOR IS A 12,000 HOME NEW TOWN OR ANY OF THE OTHER PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS AREA OF KENT. THE SCALE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS WILL TOTALLY URBANISETHIS BEAUTIFUL RURAL AREA

SCRAP IT. SHUT THE TUNNEL

DON'T GO THRU WITH IT

I WILL FIGHT THIS TO THE END. WE NEED CAR FLYERS / STICKERS TO PUT IN OUR CARS. SAVE OUT STANFORD

I FIND THE WHOLE ISSUE DISGUSTING LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THEIR LIVES COMPLETELY CHANGED AND DISRUPTED

THE COST IS DISPROPORTIONATE WHEN OTHER THINGS ARE NEEDED FUNDING IE NHS

COMPLAINED VIA EMAIL TO HE & DAMIAN COLLINS - NO RESPONSE

WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT OUR SAFETY. DRIVERS WALKING ABOIUT NEAR OUR HOMES & GARDENS. AND HOW ABOUT OUR LOVELY GREEN FIELDS AND OUR PIECE AND QUIET. WHO'S PAYING FOR ALL THIS

TOO BIG TOO NEAR HOUSES

THEY WERE UNABLE TO SAY WHO AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO OPERATE THE LORRY PARK SHOULD STACK OCCUR. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO WILL FUND THE OPERATION OF THE LORRY PARK DURING OPERATION STACK [CANNOT READ REST]

I AM 7 AND I HATE THE LORRY PARK

I FEEL SAFE AND SAD

IWON'T ENJOY RIDING MY PONY ANY MORE

APPARENTLY THE DESIGN HAS NOT BEEN FINISHED WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE AT THIS STAGE

KENT IS BEING HOODWINKED INTO BELIEVING THIS IS THE ANSWER TO OP STACK

USE M3,M4,M40 - ALL INFORMED OF TRAFFIC NOT USING 24/7. THEY WILL PASS L/P TO NOT PAY

LOCAL PEOPLE ARE BEING IGNORED

WE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE THE PARK AND IF IT DOES GO AHEAD TRY AND OBTAIN REALISTIC COMPENSATION

NOT NECESSARY - THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE - USE EBBSFLEET & RAILWAY

CHANGES ASPECT OF WHOLE ENVIRONMENT. 42 DAYS A YEAR NOT WORTH £250 MILLION

POINTLESS COMPLAINING THE DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. A BOX TICKING EXERCISE

WE ARE JUST BEING TOLD WHAT IS HAPPENING - NO PUBLIC CONSULTATION

SUGGEST GREATER DISPLACEMENT OF THE LORRIES

NEED FOR GENERAL BREAK AND OVERNIGHT PARKING MUST BE CENTRAL TO PLANS TO PREVENT LORRY PARKING ON LOCAL ROADS

THE SCALE OF THE PARK, WHICH MAY NOT BE USED VERY FREQUENTLY. WHY CAN'T THEY MAKE SMALLER PARKS ALONG THE MOTORWAY?

IF I LIVED IN STANFORD I WOULD HATE IT. ALL THE LORRY DRIVERS INVADING THE VILLAGE WHERE WILL THEY GO? NOISE FUMES!! SMALLER SITES ALONG THE M20 WOULD BE BETTER

WE DON'T HAVE A SAY IN THIS

!CANNOT READ!

AM SURE OTHER SOLUTIONS COULD BE FOUND AND SMALLER LORRY PARKS DOTTED AROUND WOULD BE BETTER. SHOULD WAIT UNTIL BREXIT IN FULL SWING. MAY NOT BE SO MANY LORRIES ON THE MOTORWAYS!!

THIS WILL BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER LIGHTS A CIGARETTE & FALLS ASLEEP, SO WHAT GOOD IS SCANNING THE LORRIES

I THINK IT WILL BE A DISASTER

NEED TO STUDY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

LORRIES DHOULD NOT GET THIS FAR. SMALLER PARKS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. THE PROPOSED PARK IS FAR TOO BIG.

42 DAYS - 20 YEARS

=42/7300 = STACK USAGE = VIRTUALLY NIL AMONGST OTHER FACTS

A SHAME KENT WILL FOOT THE BILL ON MANNING IT & MAYBE MAINTENANCE. A LARGE AREA/PROJECT FOR MAYBE ONCE A YEAR!

AGAIN KENT WILL FOOT THE BILL FOR THE MANNING OF IT AND MAYBE MAINTENANCE

IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK

TOTAL WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY

WHY DO POLITICIANS LIE ALL THE TIME

SPREAD THE PARKING AREAS FURTHER AFIELD OR THE LORRY DRIVERS WILL NOT USE IT

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO OUR FARMERS & FARMING COMMUNITY

WHAT A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY

PUT THE LORRY PARK SOMEWHERE ELSE

I ASKED ONE OF THE REPS FROM HIGHWAYS ENGLAND HOW WE STOP THE PARK FROM BEING BUILT. SHE SAID READ THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT AND PUT FORWARD ANY CONCERNS WE FIND.

HIGHWAYS ENGLAND IDEA OF CLOSING JUNCTION 11 TO DRIVERS (CARS) EXITING FOR HYTHE,SALTWOOD,SELLINDGE, STANFORD TOTALLY ABSURD

ACCESS JUNCTION 11

I would like the government to reconsider wasting £250m on something that will not stop operation stack and will ruin the beautiful landscape adjacent to an area of outstanding natural beauty.

^Mouse over or tap to pause^

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