In a tweet issued yesterday afternoon, the DVSA warned hauliers risked the heavy charge if they failed to follow a new contraflow lane. The contraflow system has been put into place to help manage freight heading to the Port of Dover just a week after coronavirus concerns caused gridlock at the border.

HGV’s hoping to use the Eurotunnel should continue down the M20 and leave the motorway at junction eight.

Highways England says COVID testing facilities are available at Manston Airport but have urged drivers to arrive in Kent already with a negative result.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has also urged drivers to ensure they have received a negative result before travelling.

A statement said: “Thanks to the support of the army, the backlog of HGVs in Kent has been cleared and hauliers making their way to Dover and the Eurotunnel continue to be tested swiftly and safely.

However, the council stood by the decision adding HGV drivers should be using “official lottery parks” instead of laybys.

They confirmed enforcement teams will continue to patrol areas to encourage lorries to follow the official process.

They said: “There are official lorry parks which should be used by drivers rather than coming off the designated routes and parking illegally in areas that were never designed for such use

“Whilst the current situation might seem unusual, local residents have endured unpleasant impacts whenever there is cross channel disruption.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Express.co.uk