Manston Airfield in Kent will be used as a temporary lorry park for cross-channel freight, to ease congestion caused by Operation Stack.

The government made the announcement yesterday (August, 4, 2015) that an agreement has been reached with the owners of Manston Airfield in East Kent to enable Kent County Council, Highways England and Kent Police to use the airfield.

Operation Stack is currently lifted, but the introduction of Manston Airfield into Operation Stack when required will provide short term additional capacity to help manage freight traffic on its way to the Port of Dover.

Freight traffic will be directed when the diversion is in place.

Transport minister Lord Ahmad said: "By using Manston Airfield we have secured an interim solution while we work to find a longer term resolution, which meets the needs of the whole of Kent and of course the interests of British industry.

He added: "By using Manston Airfield we have secured an interim solution while we work to find a longer term resolution, which meets the needs of the whole of Kent and of course the interests of British industry."

Quick to market products will be given priority. Such loads, at present, will be limited to fresh produce which need to be at market within a matter of hours, but will not include other products with a longer life span.

The following loads will therefore not enter Operation Stack but be routed directly to the Channel Tunnel or the Port of Dover: livestock and other live loads, which includes live shellfish, fresh produce, including fish and meat, hazardous goods – explosive (class 1) and radioactive materials (class 7), freight/cargo for critical care – emergency medicines, equipment for critical care and any other material required to preserve life and items critical for humanitarian need and welfare of the nation.

Highways England director of network delivery and development, David Brewer said: "We advise road users affected by Operation Stack to plan ahead and check traffic conditions and advice from travel operators before setting out: to leave plenty of time for journeys and while on the road to listen to travel news bulletins for latest information.

"We would ask all travellers to particularly look out for local signs and electronic message boards that will guide them to their destinations."