Support stacks up for stranded motorists

London South-East Division provided welfare support to a number of stranded lorry drivers caught up in severe traffic delays on the M20.

Kent County Council Emergency Planning Team requested support as part of Operation Stack – where freight vehicles are parked on the M20 because of delays at Eurotunnel or the Channel ports. The operation is in phase two, which means the M20 is closed to all Southbound traffic beyond junction eight to allow large numbers of lorries to be parked on the carriageway. Cars are diverted to other routes while lorries are held on the motorway with expected delays of up to seven hours before they are moved a few at a time to the Tunnel or Channel ports.

A small team of staff and volunteers from the Maidstone area delivered a hundred bagged meals to Kent Police for distribution to the drivers who had faced the most severe delays.

Divisional Director for Community Services Adrian Clee said: “The Salvation Army is well known for rolling up its sleeves and giving practical support to individuals and the Emergency Services. It has been good to be able to work with our colleagues from the Kent County Council Emergency Planning Team and Kent Police to be able to support some of those most affected by these severe delays.”

Volunteer Carol Dodd (Maidstone Salvation Army) is pictured handing over some of bagged meals to Kent Police.