A new version of Operation Stack is being tested in Dover in the wake of the Channel Tunnel fire.

For the rest of this week a stretch of the A20 beginning at Aycliffe will be used to park heavy goods vehicles while Operation Stack is not in place.

Lorries will be allowed to travel through when ferry space at the port becomes available.

The district council’s cabinet member for access, Cllr Nigel Collor, has long campaigned for the new scheme to be tried out.

He said: “Historically I have suggested holding the queue at a point beyond Aycliffe instead of at the docks entrance and have been advised it is not possible.

“But at a recent district council meeting attended by Kent Police, the Highways Agency and the Port of Dover Police this very move was suggested by the representative from Kent Police.

“Success with this could ease our almost daily problem of heavy traffic congestion.

“When the Dover Harbour Board development at Terminal 2 is in place we will see capacity better used and ease the situation approaching the Eastern Docks even more.”

The decision comes after a new record for freight vehicles using the Port of Dover was set last Wednesday.

In all 10,405 vehicles passed through Dover in a 24 hours period. If parked end-to-end, they would have stretched for around 110 miles – roughly the distance between Dover and Heathrow Airport.