Live M20 and A20 traffic updates as Operation Stack put in place due to high speed Storm Gareth winds

Operation Stack in now in place because of adverse weather conditions affecting ferry crossings at the Port of Dover

Operation Stack has been implemented on the M20 because of high speed winds this afternoon (March 13).

Weather conditions are causing long delays to ferries leaving the Port of Dover, which has had a serious knock-on effect on roads in the surrounding areas.

All traffic was held between J7 and J8 of the M20 coastbound to set up the closure for Operation Stack between junctions 8 and 9.

The M20 coastbound is now closed between J8 and J9 and a diversion route is in place.

Lorries will be directed back onto the M20 to be parked.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "As of 12.20pm on Wednesday 13 March 2019 Operation Stack is being put in place on the coastbound carriageway of the M20 between junctions 8 and 9.

"This is due to adverse weather conditions affecting Channel crossings at the Port of Dover.

"Manston Airfield is currently not being used to queue Dover-bound freight."

There are lengthening queues on approach to the port with more than nine miles of tailbacks on the A2 and major congestion in the Dover area, including the A20.

Follow our live Operation Stack traffic updates for more information and the latest below.

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Highways England has issued a statement as Operation Stack remains in place. A spokesman said:

The M20 coastbound in Kent is closed between junctions 8 and 9 as part of Operation Stack.

"HGVs destined for Dover Port and Eurotunnel Terminals will be ‘stacked’ on the M20 coastbound between junctions 8 and 9 until the situation improves.

"A diversion route is in place for light vehicles approaching the closure and is advised to follow the Hollow Black Circle symbol.

"At junction 8, non-HGV traffic may exit the M20 and join the A20 coastbound via Harrietsham and Charing, to re-join at junction 9.

"Road users further afield travelling towards Dover may also wish to consider using the A2 and M2."

Operation Stack is expected to continue through the night on the M20.

Full story here.

A video has emerged showing police putting Operation Stack into action on the M20 today (March 13).

Take a look at it here.

The A20 diversion route via Lenham and Charing to get back onto the M20 is currently taking around one hour and 15 minutes.

The A20 between Lenham and Charing is already being affected by heavy traffic as a result of Operation Stack.

Kent County Council Highways has issued advice on the diversion route when leaving the M20.

You can see it here.

A rolling road block is in place between Junction 7 for Maidstone/Detling Hill and Junction 8 at Leeds Castle to set up the closure for Operation Stack.

The closure will be in place between J8 and J9 for Ashford.

For those who are unsure, Operation Stack means the M20 coastbound carriageway will be shut between Junction 8 for Leeds Castle/Maidstone Services and Junction 9 for Ashford.

Ferries leaving the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel trains leaving Folkestone for Calais are currently delayed by one hour and 30 minutes.

Operation Stack, also known as Op Stack, is a way of managing traffic during disruption to the Eurotunnel or - in today's case - ferry services.

Lorries waiting to board ferries will queue on the M20 and all other traffic will be diverted to other routes.

Op Stack is used on the M20 between junction 8 at Maidstone services and junction 9 for Ashford.

If more space is needed, the closed section will extend to junction 11 at Westenhanger.

Freight is separated into two queues on either side of the coastbound carriageway - one for tunnel traffic and one for port traffic.

The middle lanes are kept clear for emergency vehicles.

Lorries are released at the request of the Port of Dover and Channel Tunnel. As the authorities move them down the queue in stages, you may see stretches of the motorway clear from time to time.