The Government has rejected a bid by Kent County Council to extend its lorry parking ban pilot by a further six months.

The council was given new powers to clamp and fine lorries that were illegally parked across seven districts and boroughs. 

The council said it would be 'short sighted' not to extend the project until January 2022 given the number of major events due to take place in Kent over the coming months.

Simon Jones, the council's interim corporate director and director of highways, said: 'We have targeted those areas where unlawful lorry parking causes the biggest problems and we have received positive feedback from many residents and businesses.

'The Kent Resilience Forum also recognised the ban would help reduce the risk of disruption in the face of new pressures, such as the expected return of tourist traffic, to Kent’s roads over the coming months.

'In light of this, while we welcome the roads’ minister’s commitment to consider future localised restrictions and use of emergency powers in the event of border issues due to customs changes in the new year, it is disappointing not to have our current broader temporary enforcement powers extended.'

However, the decision was welcomed by Unite who warned the ban had led to overcrowding at service stations and lorry parks.

Unite national officer for lorry drivers, Adrian Jones, said: 'While lifting the ban should end the immediate short term problems, the Government and Kent council need to take immediate action to ensure that when future problems occur with the Dover crossing, for whatever reason, drivers have access to decent welfare facilities while they cope with delays.'

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