Vehicles that park up after being turned away from port risk being clamped

Vehicles that park up after being turned away from port risk being clamped

Hauliers have been warned their vehicles will be clamped if they are found parked up waiting for permission to cross the Channel after being turned away from ports.

Kent County Council (KCC) is even encouraging the public to download an app that lets them snoop on HGV drivers parked illegally and report them to the police.

The restrictions mean drivers who park illegally or anti-socially in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Maidstone, Swale and Thanet risk clamping and fines.

Simon Jones, KCC director of highways, said: “There remains a risk of disruption as some freight is turned back from ports and inland border checkpoints, such as Sevington, if newly-required border paperwork is not in order.

“In these instances, HGVs must return to their base of operation and not simply park up on the local road network and wait to get their permissions sorted.

“We appreciate HGV drivers are having to deal with new cross-Channel travel requirements and we have worked hard to ensure hauliers are aware of our new powers, and our targeted approach to enforcement, including distributing information leaflets.”

The council said people can report illegally parked HGVs via the ‘HGV Watch’ category of the Country Eye app.

For more information visit www.kent.gov.uk

18th January 2021