This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-33785056

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Calais crisis: Manston Airport group threatens lorry park blockade Calais crisis: Manston Airport group threatens lorry park blockade
(about 2 hours later)
Campaigners fighting to save a disused airport have threatened to use direct action to stop it being used as a lorry park during cross-Channel disruption.Campaigners fighting to save a disused airport have threatened to use direct action to stop it being used as a lorry park during cross-Channel disruption.
It was announced on Tuesday that Manston Airport would be used to hold freight traffic in the short-term.It was announced on Tuesday that Manston Airport would be used to hold freight traffic in the short-term.
The aim is to ease congestion caused by Operation Stack, in which Dover-bound lorries are parked on the M20.The aim is to ease congestion caused by Operation Stack, in which Dover-bound lorries are parked on the M20.
Ruth Bailey, of Save Manston Airport, said it was likely the group would block entrances and lie on the runway.Ruth Bailey, of Save Manston Airport, said it was likely the group would block entrances and lie on the runway.
'Blocking entrances''Blocking entrances'
She told BBC Radio Kent: "How ridiculous. It's the holiday season, the height of the holiday season and Thanet relies on tourism for its trade.She told BBC Radio Kent: "How ridiculous. It's the holiday season, the height of the holiday season and Thanet relies on tourism for its trade.
"It's going to completely block all the roads people are going to think twice about coming to our beautiful beaches."It's going to completely block all the roads people are going to think twice about coming to our beautiful beaches.
"I think it's very likely that a lot of the group will be taking direct action, which will mean blocking the entrances, laying on the runway if necessary.""I think it's very likely that a lot of the group will be taking direct action, which will mean blocking the entrances, laying on the runway if necessary."
The ongoing situation in the French port involving migrants and striking ferry workers has led to Operation Stack being implemented on 26 days this summer. The ongoing situation in the French port involving migrants and striking ferry workers has led to Operation Stack being implemented on 29 days this summer.
Transport minister Lord Ahmad said using the airport as a holding area was a viable temporary solution to keeping traffic and goods moving.Transport minister Lord Ahmad said using the airport as a holding area was a viable temporary solution to keeping traffic and goods moving.
'Far fewer lorries''Far fewer lorries'
Damian Collins, Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, welcomed the decision, saying the use of Manston in the short-term was a "step in the right direction".Damian Collins, Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, welcomed the decision, saying the use of Manston in the short-term was a "step in the right direction".
"But there is another very important component as well which is still being worked on... and that is that we have a system of managing Stack on the M20, albeit with far fewer lorries now, where we can still run traffic in both directions."But there is another very important component as well which is still being worked on... and that is that we have a system of managing Stack on the M20, albeit with far fewer lorries now, where we can still run traffic in both directions.
He said Highways England was working on the plans but a pre-condition was for some of the freight traffic to be taken off the M20.He said Highways England was working on the plans but a pre-condition was for some of the freight traffic to be taken off the M20.
The decision to use Manston as a temporary lorry park has been criticised as "geographically unsuitable" by Conservative MPs for South Thanet and North Thanet, Craig Mackinlay and Roger Gale.The decision to use Manston as a temporary lorry park has been criticised as "geographically unsuitable" by Conservative MPs for South Thanet and North Thanet, Craig Mackinlay and Roger Gale.
The UKIP-run Thanet District Council and UKIP leader Nigel Farage are also against the plan.The UKIP-run Thanet District Council and UKIP leader Nigel Farage are also against the plan.