Supplementary written evidence submitted by the Department for

Transport (OPP0063)

Reflecting on the oral evidence inquiry session on Monday, I wanted to clarify two points. Firstly, I wish to provide additional evidence in response to the final questions you posed regarding the evidence given by Chief Constable Alan Pughsley of Kent Police to the Home Affairs Committee on

14 July 2015. In response to question 14, as per the transcript, Alan stated that:

'One idea at this moment is Manston Airport. My team would say, "We cannot logistically do that because you would have to escort the lorries from the M20 all the way over to, for example Manston Airport."'

I believe the following to be pertinent:

As you know, Operation Stack was called 7 times for 26 days in total between 23 June and 31 July 2016, so Alan's evidence was given during the middle of the crisis.

Department for Transport officials signed a contract with the owners to hire the Manston site on 3 August and came into effect from 5

August 2015.

A new operational protocol was agreed by a multi-agency group including Kent Police, Kent County Council, Highways England and Department for Transport officials on 6 August 2015. It was agreed by the Kent Strategic Coordinating Group ('Operation Fennel') on the same day. Unfortunately, this is not a public document given its security sensitive contents.

I would also remind you of responses to questions asked at the Operation

Stack oral evidence hearing on 14 October 2015. In response to question

71, as per the transcript, David Brewer from Highways England stated that:

'We agreed the diversion routes to and from Manston. We worked with Kent County Council to understand how we would direct traffic to and from, and we worked with the police and others to figure out how we would manage the operation.'

And in response to question 77, Assistant Chief Constable Jo Shiner from Kent Police answered in regard to whether 'the Manston solution can work in practice' that:

'Yes, we do have concerns, which we have articulated throughout about the Manston option. Having said that, as a number of people have said today, it is the best of a number of bad options, to be frank.'

Secondly, the Committee asked many questions regarding value for money and the short listing of sites and selection of the preferred scheme as a solution for Operation Stack.

In addition, I would reassure you and the Committee that selection of the preferred scheme will use value for money criteria, as part of 5 part Business Case as stipulated in Treasury Green Book for appraisal of proposals before committing funds to a policy, programme or project. As discussed, the benefit cost analysis is more difficult than a more traditional road scheme given the unique circumstances of Operation Stack.

Also, as I said to the Committee, the Department has commissioned the Transport Systems Catapult to ascertain the impact of the disruption to the UK between June and September 2015. We have just received their latest version and we are

currently reviewing its contents. Subject to safeguarding any commercially sensitive data, the Department will look to publish its findings shortly.

There is a strategic need to build a lorry park but we are at too early a stage for robust analysis. Whilst the Governm.ent is committed to ensuring that spending on infrastructure supports the economy, we envisage that this project will bring about real benefits both nationally and locally.

I reiterate that this government is very keen to ensure that the permanent lorry park is progressed as soon as possible. As such, I am pressing Highways England to do just this in presenting their work to Ministers to be able to consider a decision on the proposed location.

17 May 2016