Manston Airfield is now in temporary use as alternative capacity for freight traffic crossing the Channel while there are ongoing issues in Calais. 

The government announced the new measure as part of an effort to ease the pressure on Operation Stack. This is a procedure to park lorries along the M20 when Channel services are disrupted. 

Operation Stack is currently lifted, but the addition of Manston Airfield to the initiative will mean additional capacity is present when it is reintroduced. 

Keeping goods and traffic moving and ensuring people's lives on either side of the Channel continue as normal is the priority behind the measure.

Transport minister Lord Ahmad said: "We have found a viable short-term solution to the disruption residents and industry in the M20 corridor from Dover to Maidstone have been experiencing in recent weeks as a result of Operation Stack."

He added that Manston Airfield will only be used as an interim solution while the government works on a long term resolution.