Drivers turned away from ports will be clamped for parking up, Kent council warns

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.

It said traffic levels are expected to rise over the coming weeks, particularly as French customs intensify their border checks, and so the council has been given powers by the government to crack down on “transition-related traffic disruption”.

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,” Jones added.

“But, our overriding priority is to keep Kent’s roads safe and clear and we will take action against illegal parking that causes serious issues for other road users and residents.”

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

It added that additional signs have been erected in Kent to ensure drivers are aware they are entering restriction zones and that drivers who take short statutory breaks using dedicated lay-bys or parking areas will not face enforcement.