Operation Stack on the M20 - anyone in a car experienced it?

[Ladytron]

As opposed to a lorry driver, that is! As I understand it, car drivers heading towards the Eurotunnel at Folkestone have to exit the M20 at j8 (?) and use the A20 due to the lorries parked up on the M20.

Is this correct? Do you use the A20 for a while and then get back on the M20 further along? Or A20 all the way to Folkestone?

We are travelling next week and I am getting anxious about how much time we will have to allow in order to make our Eurotunnel slot. It might be me, but I don't think the information given on their website is very clear!

Thanks for any info!

I'm wondering how long it will take from the Folkestone Premier Inn to the Eurotunnel terminal?

I don't need a scarf, I'll be the harassed looking one !

Yes, Cordelia - I meant the short trip from Prem Inn to the tunnel.
We're travelling from the NW the day before so it'll be a hell of a journey anyway - I just thought we'd have a peaceful nights sleep and a Prem Inn brekkie! Ha!!!
If any MN'ers are at Prem Inn on Mon 3rd Aug (around the bar area) can we have a secret squirrel signal?! ????

Tbh, it should be quite easy if the premier Inn is where I think it is. Stack goes coastbound. You'll be getting on at junction 12, going London bound to 11, then back down to 11a. It should be fine. You'll just join whatever queue there is for check in.

We have bitten the bullet. Staying at the holiday inn. Can't face a fraught journey to start our holiday off...

Thanks, Cordelia - that what I wanted to hear!

We will be doing this in three weeks so joining the thread. Some great info here, thanks all :)
Lake district to folkstone for a 9pm crossing!

We're currently sitting in the carnage that is Operation Stack. M20 is shut from 8-11 so followed the diversion down the A20 instead. That wasn't too bad, although it was 10:30pm so traffic was relatively light. We're now a mile from the ferry port in Dover and have been virtually stationary for the past hour and three quarters. Luckily we're staying in a hotel tonight but if anyone's heading down in the morning, I'd recommend leaving at least a couple of hours earlier. If it's this bad at midnight, the morning is going to be horrific...

3cats - just wanted to be clear - getting to the back of the queue for check in should be ok. However, that queue can be quite long. Eurotunnel will be able to advise on the day.

Today junction 11 is apparently snarled up coastbound on the A20 as far back as Sellindge or further. This is having a knock on effect on the slip road to it London bound, but you're coming from the better direction definitely.

Any further updates?

I thought we were in the clear for this weekend but seems to be all kinds of trouble again.

Kent Police have said op stack is likely to be in place to the weekend at least. They are on Facebook and Twitter and provide very good updates!

Thanks lolly

Yes have all the twitter feeds. I am half considering booking a different crossing point and just sucking up the extra expenditure .

Lilly

I read from another poster that alternative crossings are extortionate at the moment bi think they looked at Portsmouth to Le Havre and it was something like £800

Yes the prices are high . And availability limited .

I wish it could be sorted in the next day or two.

It's hard to relax and get in holiday mode.

A friend is travelling on Saturday and I strongly recommended he book a nearby hotel premier inn for the Friday to at least have a decent sleep and fry up. He had not even heard about this - he has now!

An alternative route is M2/A2 then B2068. Lots recommended it on the Eurotunnel Twitter feed. Would really recommend watching it plus the Kent Police and Highways Agency for most up-to-date situation.

another one who's decided to book in somewhere near and reduce stress levels... staying in an Inn in Dymchurch

This morning the route back onto the M20 London bound at Hawkinge is shut. The B2068 Stone Street route should still work, but be aware that it contains some very narrow lanes.

Thank you for useful information so far. Would be great if this could be kept up to date for those travelling later on in the summer. Am worried about the back lanes being shut- was pinning hopes on those!

Risky travelling on the back lanes. Better to set out early and stick to official diversions, or better still, stay overnight nearby.

Does anyone have any updates on the Dover ferry crossings? Which is the best way to travel there, how long from M25, what is waiting time like at port, and will they let you board a later ferry if very delayed?
Thanks

Can you recommend anywhere to stay the night before? We are travelling from dover next week.

Rose- that sounds awful

We are currently in the holiday inn express at Folkestone. Arrived late last night, went m2/a2 then down past hawkinge, and had no trouble at all. Beat the sat nav time by about ten mins. Not sure how long it will take to get to the terminal from here but will update later. Train is at 1.40

I wouldn't think it will take any longer than usual now you're here, and especially as operation stack has been reduced this morning to just 8-9.

If you're with children this morning I can recommend the Lower Leas Coastal Park. It's going to be a lovely day.