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We are now into our eighth day of complete chaos on our
motorway links as a result of French ferry workers industrial
action, bringing chaos to the country's economy and chaos to the
residents of Kent.
When cross channel services are disrupted, instead of Operation
Stack, we need to get the HGVs off the roads. So we have arrived at
our preferred solution of a lorry park and hope to announce its
location in a matter of days.
We have done our bit, we've found the solution now it is up to
government to get its cheque book out and fund it.
We have long been suggesting a Britdisc scheme which will charge
foreign lorries for using Kent's roads and would pay for the lorry
park and could also contribute to a third Thames crossing.
If we are not careful they are going to stop calling us the
Garden of England and call us the Garden of Gridlock instead.
It is also time that the French government faced up to its
responsibilities. I am writing to President Sarkozy outlining the
costs to the Kent economy and will be looking for compensation.
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