A permanent solution to a perennial problem
Electroporte propose the M20 Multi-Purpose Facility (MPF):
a permanent solution to Channel disruption that will enable transport decarbonisation and facilitate economic growth and productivity
The Dover Straits
The Dover Straits export/import trade is vital to the UK economy, accounting for 60% of UK-EU trade and 31% of all global UK trade.
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Economic and industrial sectors like food & beverage and automotive are especially dependent on the just-in-time delivery model.
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The food and beverage industry alone has a turnover of £105 billion and employs 430,000 people, with the industries supply chain worth £120 billion employing 5.3 million people.
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These and many other industries are highly vulnerable to supply chain delays which can lead to significant economic loss.
Supply chain delays are one manifestation of the many vulnerabilities currently challenging this trade, particularly as we move towards a net-zero economy and navigate new economic relations with the EU.
Vulnerabilities
A substantial volume of the UK’s export and import trade across the Dover Straits employs a just-in-time delivery model reliant on transportation by freight lorries.
This trade is vital to our economy, particularly for sectors like automotive and food & beverage which are especially dependent upon it.
This dependency requires that we take Dover Strait vulnerabilities seriously.
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There are three significant vulnerabilities:
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Channel disruption.
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Transport decarbonisation.
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Economic growth and productivity.
Overview
The problem and our MPF solution
Channel Disruption
It is widely accepted that the current infrastructure, intended as a temporary measure, is inadequate and overwhelmed by major disruption events.
Brock and TAP
M20 lorry congestion is a serious issue and Brock and TAP need replacing.
The MPF would replace Brock and TAP by restoring the lost 3,600 off-motorway lorry marshalling spaces.
Kent Fly Parking
Dover Straits related lorry fly parking, “slash and grab” crime and pollution are serious issues in Kent.
The MPF would provide secure parking spaces for Dover Straits related lorries.
Dover Straits lorry movements
Managing Dover Straits lorries with Brock and TAP is highly disruptive.
The MPF’s Advanced Traffic Management System would manage Dover Straits lorry traffic and keep the Strategic Road Network free flowing.
Transport decarbonisation
To meet government mandated net-zero targets, logistics businesses will need to shift to more sustainable practices.
Net-zero
Continued Dover Straits UK/EU trade depends on accessible net-zero infrastructure.
The MPF would deliver net-zero infrastructure safely and securely in an easily accessible location.
Road to Rail
A modal shift of road freight to rail is required to reduce lorry movements and emissions.
The MPF would incorporate a Dover Straits, road/rail interchange.
Driver welfare
Welfare facilities are essential for lorry drivers caught in M20 and A20 congestion.
The MPF would provide driver welfare facilities.
Economic growth and productivity
The UK economy needs to grow and be made more productive.
Economy
To strengthen the economy, logistics companies need physical space in which to adapt to the new UK/EU regulatory regime.
The MPF would incorporate a Dover Straits logistics hub providing the physical space for logistics companies to adapt their just-in-time supply chains.
Growth
Economic growth needs to be raised, and the benefits of trade shared across the UK.
The MPF would incorporate a technologically advanced Inland Border Facility that would share prosperity and raise growth around the UK.
Productivity
To lift productivity, investment in high quality Dover Straits infrastructure is needed.
A single location MPF would most effectively lift productivity though the process of synergy where the combined action of more things together produces results greater than the sum of the individual parts.
Actions
To deliver Electroportes MPF solution to the identified vulnerabilities, the following actions would be desirable:
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Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council to actively support the MPF proposal.
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Kent County Council and HMG to actively support a Kent wide fly parking ban.
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The DfT to prioritise the MPF as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
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The National Wealth Fund to support an application for funding the MPF proposal.
Delivery
Electroporte propose the MPF as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project with two alternative funding options:
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Option 1 – the lorry park led scheme, supported by the National Wealth Fund and private finance to fund construction and operations.
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Option 2 – a private financed scheme with delivery dependent on the enabling development of a logistics hub.
Electroporte control the site and the MPF infrastructure proposal could be implemented within the term of this parliament
Location
The MPF would be ideally located at a confluence of the M20, A20, HS1 and mainline railway, upstream of Dover Port and Eurotunnel and downstream of the M25, M26 and the A229, which links to the M2 and the Lower Thames Crossing.
Site
Electroporte have a long-term option over 220 acres of grade 3 farmland, enough for a lorry park, with further land available for enabling development, isolated from major conurbations, away from congestion and outside the AONB.
The land is mainly level and straddles the M20 and is the only suitable location west of Ashford with space for a new junction. The new junction would be between J8 & J9 with a link road to the A20 for employees and service access.
Document Downloads
Explore the downloadable documents below offering vital backup information on the Electroporte MPF solution.
Let's start making a change today
If you want to talk to Electroporte about our proposal or set up a meeting, please get in touch.
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Hedley Merriman (Managing Director)
Trevor Eyre (Director)
3 Castle Gate
Castle Street
Hertford SG14 1HD