Operation Stack

Operation Stack is a traffic management system at Dover Port that arranges heavy trucks in orderly rows along the M20 motorway between junctions 8 and 11 when port congestion occurs. The system uses both directions of the highway to temporarily hold a large number of vehicles waiting for processing.

The system was introduced in the 1980s to manage growing freight traffic crossing the English Channel and the need for organized vehicle management at Dover Port. It evolved into a standard solution for handling traffic backups when delays in channel crossings occurred.

This traffic management method reflects British organizational approaches to maintaining order during transportation disruptions along the English Channel routes.

When the system is activated, drivers must follow directions from highway officials to position their vehicle in the correct queue and wait for further instructions. Waiting times can stretch for several hours during peak traffic, so carrying adequate food and water is advisable.

The system can temporarily house up to 2,000 heavy trucks on the motorway, transforming the M20 into a massive parking area when needed. This unusual use of a major highway shows the scale of cross-Channel freight pressures on British infrastructure.