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The Leader of Dover District Council has expressed his gratitude to the Kent Resilience Forum for implementing proactive traffic management measures from Friday, 21 to Sunday 23 July, as the summer holiday season began.
The Council had asked for traffic marshals, supported by the Port of Dover Police, to be deployed at key junctions on York Street, Woolcomber Street, and Jubilee Way. This helped to keep traffic flowing smoothly, with only minor congestion on local roads at peak times.
Cllr Kevin Mills said: “I appreciate the efforts of the Port of Dover and the Kent Resilience Forum for listening to our concerns and taking action to prevent the massive delays we saw on local roads at Easter and in summer 2022.
“These busy days are foreseeable, so we need these measures to be in place every time there is a surge in travel demand. That way, the Port and ferry operators can offer a better service to their customers, and local residents can go about their daily lives.”
At the same time however, Dover District Council also called on the government and Highways England to speed up their plans to improve the strategic road network in East Kent, and to provide better welfare facilities for HGV drivers.
“The government needs to act and invest in creating a road network in and around Dover that is suitable for Europe’s busiest ferry port and vital for UK trade. For too long, ministers have neglected the problem. Dover must be given priority for investment in the government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS3).”