Port closed as winds reach 45mph
OPERATION Stack was put into place this afternoon after Britain's biggest container port was closed because of strong winds.
Richard Cornwell
OPERATION Stack was put into place this afternoon after Britain's biggest container port was closed because of strong winds.
With gusts over 45mph, it was unsafe for high-rise quayside cranes at Felixstowe to work safely.
A port spokesman said lorry holding areas on the port were full and so Operation Stack had been made active to temporarily hold vehicles on the old A45 at Levington.
Suffolk police and officials from the Highways Agency are assisting with the management of trucks.
Lorries should pull off the A14 at the Seven Hills interchange and follow diversion signs to the stacking area.
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“From this time, no container vehicles will be allowed onto the Port until Operation Stack is lifted unless they have a ticket,” said a spokesman.
“Tickets can be obtained from the holding area on the old A45.
“Any vehicles arriving at the port without a ticket and valid booking will be redirected either to its local yard or to the old A45.”
When the wind speed drops below safe working limits, it is likely to take some time to clear the several hundred waiting vehicles.
Officials are contacting hauliers and asking them to alert their drivers to delay their journey until normal operations resume.
He said the port apologised for the inconvenience and disruption but safety of all port users was a vital issue.
