New Lorry Park Proposed 8 miles After the Channel Tunnel Junction!

Le Shuttle Freight moves 1.2 million trucks annually

The channel Tunnel currently accommodates 25 % of the freight travelling between the UK and the continent since its opening in 1994. The 32 mile tunnel was a major piece of civil engineering designed to create alternative options for transportation across the English Channel, especially when either inclement weather strikes, or port / road problems prevent departures from the port of Dover.

Freight via the Channel Tunnel Grows

Le Shuttle Freight moves nearly 1.2 million trucks annually, with recent figures showing stable volumes around that mark in 2024, carrying 25% of UK-Europe goods trade and transporting over 750 million tonnes of freight since 1994, highlighting its critical role in the supply chain

In August 2025 , Le Shuttle Freight carried 86,090 trucks under the channel

Wrong Project - in the Wrong Place

This is why the current proposal by GSE for a lorry park at Court wood junction is the wrong project in the wrong place . When plans are required to manage freight on the M20 the maximum number of options are required to effectively manage the throughput of freight and keep goods moving. The most practical and logical option for freight parking is before the Channel Tunnel entrance at Jnc 11a , that is why all HGV truck stops built so far have been built before Jnc 11a, see Ashford International Truckstop and Stop 24 for example! Both before the channel tunnel entrance at Jnc 11a on the M20, with three lane highways in both directions.

The new proposal for an HGV lorry park is ~8 miles after the channel tunnel entrance (distance M20 J11A (Tunnel) to Court wood Jnc (A20) This is not only illogical and impractical but will actually reduce the transport management resilience on the M20/A20 and surrounding towns , especially in Dover and Folkestone.

Solutions- Before the Channel Tunnel Exit at Jnc 11a

Freight at the Channel Tunnel on Le Shuttle

Any future HGV lorry park needs to be built before both the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel entry/exit points to create the greatest number of options for traffic management. This is cost effect, will help freight management plans, increase emergency and contingency options in the right place and increase overall traffic resilience. This option would also have the benefit of 3 lanes of motorway available on the M20 , unlike the 2 lanes on the A20.Furthermore the Court Wood junction on the A20 is at high elevation, disproportionately affected by fog and mist and likely to contribute to road traffic accidents.

If you want freight to keep rolling, goods flowing and truckers welfare catered for - Court Wood Truck stop is the wrong option !

THINK...HGV Truck Stop before the Channel Tunnel entrance and Dover Port