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Unexpected Felixstowe Port closure causes A14 chaos
Page 16
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High winds caused chaos on the A14 when Felixstowe Port was closed
before Operation Stack could be instigated. Chris Tindall reports.
THERE WAS MORE traffic chaos on the A14 in Suffolk last week when winds gusting atoOmph closed Felixstowe Port and led to a delayed roll-out of Operation Stack.
Inaccurate predictions that wind speeds would be within safe limits for port gantry cranes resulted in crippling congestion at the country's largest container terminal before it had time to close.
Inspector Trevor Sharman of Suffolk police says a delay in erecting traffic management signs along the A14 added to the tailbacks, as did LGV drivers who ignored police advice: "The weather warning we received predicted a maximum of 44 knots at a height of 40 metres... there was nothing to suggest Stack would definitely be implemented.
"There was a long period of time where we were trying to manage traffic movements. It created some difficulties, increased once again by drivers failing to comply with guidance given to them by police officers."
Sharman adds that a meeting for everyone affected by port closures has been scheduled for early June to discuss the issues and hear what plans the police have for the future.
But he warns: "Any closure is going to cause some difficult issues, whatever plans are in place and whatever readiness there is."
Sharman confirms that the Orwell Crossing Lorry Park owner Karl Rout has offered his land for stacking trucks during 'windoffs': -Of course it's a commercial en terprise and there are difficulties with being dependent on someone not contracted in any shape or form for Operation Stack. Karl Rout is very supportive of us."