Manston-4

[Tagron]

River Oak appear to be persevering with their attempt to reopen Manston.

https://www.aircargoweek.com/riveroak-submits-plans-reopen-manston-airfreight-hub/

The previous thread appears closed so this new thread offers the opportunity to watch how the situation develops .

[Planespeaking]

River Oak appear to be persevering with their attempt to reopen Manston.

https://www.aircargoweek.com/riveroak-submits-plans-reopen-manston-airfreight-hub/

The previous thread appears closed so this new thread offers the opportunity to watch how the situation develops .

There have been more reports of Manston being raised from the dead than resurrection stories in the bible. It would be great to see the airfield re open, but surely to be an efficient cargo hub it needs to be more central with good road and rail links Sited 70 miles from London on an eastern peninsular and closer to Europe than most of the mainland UK it is hardly conducive to being a cost effective distribution centre.
But don't knock it until you've tried it. Go Manston!!

[Prophead]

For the right company it is actually a fairly good location. It is next to a motorway and with the new Lower Thames crossing could have fairly good road access to a large chunk of the UK.
It also has a ready made freight port just down the road and is near the tunnel and HS rail network.

For a freight operator coming into the UK and Europe there are much worse places to be.

[Plane.Silly]

From the cargo perspective, you have to look at the alternative (Dover/Folkstone), which for a freight operator using lorries, constantly being stacked on the M20, it's a credible alternative.
Instead of having lorries stuck for hours/days on end, fly in/out of Manston and transfer goods on to lorries from there?

Would very much depend on the overall cost, but the time save could more than make up for it, especially with Brexit/ Enhanced border checks coming in soon...

[Prophead]

Also for a large manufacturer. There is room to build a large facility with your own runway and port. Would be great for an Airbus type setup but not sure how many of those types there are around.

[toptrumps]

From the cargo perspective, you have to look at the alternative (Dover/Folkstone), which for a freight operator using lorries, constantly being stacked on the M20, it's a credible alternative.
Instead of having lorries stuck for hours/days on end, fly in/out of Manston and transfer goods on to lorries from there?

Would very much depend on the overall cost, but the time save could more than make up for it, especially with Brexit/ Enhanced border checks coming in soon...
When was the last time lorries were stacked on the M20 ? Do you know the cost difference between air freight and sea freight ? Costs are night and day.
Its not going to be a great business move to have an airport open ready on standby in case operation stack.

[toptrumps]

Anyway RSP or what ever they are calling themselves today have withdrawn their DCO application to reopen Manston as an air freight hub.

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-east/manston-airport/?ipcsection=overview

[inOban]

But only temporarily.

[Plane.Silly]

Anyway RSP or what ever they are calling themselves today have withdrawn their DCO application to reopen Manston as an air freight hub.
And boom...there goes my suggestion

@TopTrumps. Yes there are additional costs to apply, i'm not disputing that. And yes it's been a while since the stack was in place. But thinking Longer term, when that dreaded B word happens, checks will take a lot longer, regardless of whatever deal is made. that will inevitably make the backlogs longer and the stack 'may' become a more common / daily occurance
It was merely the idea of having a freight airport nearby, which would bypass that time inconvenience that i was emphasising

[SWBKCB]

checks will take a lot longer, regardless of whatever deal is made. that will inevitably make the backlogs longer and the stack 'may' become a more common / daily occurance. It was merely the idea of having a freight airport nearby, which would bypass that time inconvenience that i was emphasising
And compared to the ports, what priority would the airport be for checks??

[compton3bravo]

I think some of the recent posters have been on the sauce and/or to much sun. The capacity of a B747 freighter is over 110-120 tons that is equal to four 32 ton lorry loads. Over two million lorries use the tunnel or the ferry between Dover and Calais each year - get real people!

[Heathrow Harry]

Great to see this thread back... it really cheers me up

[Heathrow Harry]

I think some of the recent posters have been on the sauce and/or to much sun. The capacity of a B747 freighter is over 110-120 tons that is equal to four 32 ton lorry loads. Over two million lorries use the tunnel or the ferry between Dover and Calais each year - get real people!
C3b

pprune is full of threads from well meaning folk who really really believe their WW2 airfield will be the next Schipol if only people see the light

[toptrumps]

But only temporarily.

Where in the letter issued by RSP's legal team BDB does it state temporarily ?

[SWBKCB]

Maybe this bit?

This letter is to notify you that our clients, RiverOak Strategic Partners Ltd, are withdrawing the application submitted on 10 April 2018 and are engaging with the Planning Inspectorate with a view to resubmission as soon as possible.

[toptrumps]

Maybe this bit?

I see it as the application is withdrawn and they may make a new application, the previous application has not been temporarily withdrawn, its been permanently withdrawn. A new application will have to be made.

[racedo]

Also for a large manufacturer. There is room to build a large facility with your own runway and port. Would be great for an Airbus type setup but not sure how many of those types there are around.

Get real.

There is in effect zero unemployment in Kent hence why would any manufacturer site there when it could do so easier in North of England plus get the land cheaper.

There are no inherent skills base that would persuade someone to site there.

[ScotsSLF]

18265 people were claiming unemployment benefits in Kent.This has increased since last month. Thanet has the highest unemployment rate at 4.6%. Sevenoaks has the lowest unemployment rate at 0.8%. The 18‐24 year old unemployment rate in Kent is 3%.18 Oct 2017

[ATNotts]

From the cargo perspective, you have to look at the alternative (Dover/Folkstone), which for a freight operator using lorries, constantly being stacked on the M20, it's a credible alternative.
Instead of having lorries stuck for hours/days on end, fly in/out of Manston and transfer goods on to lorries from there?

Would very much depend on the overall cost, but the time save could more than make up for it, especially with Brexit/ Enhanced border checks coming in soon...

That's a "plain silly" suggestion!

Have you any idea how much it costs to put a 13.6m artic on Eurotunnel versus the cost of flying 23 tonnes? The best thing to do with Manston would be to turn it into the enormous truck park that may, perhaps will be needed if things go wrong with the Brexit negotiation.

[Prophead]

Get real.

There is in effect zero unemployment in Kent hence why would any manufacturer site there when it could do so easier in North of England plus get the land cheaper.

Where in the North of England would you find, or be able to build a port and a large runway in close proximity? Not to mention access to a motorway, high speed rail and the tunnel. And why would you when you have Manston/Ramsgate available? To build this kind of facility would cost a fortune and take years just to get through planning.

If there are jobs then people will move, jobs are always welcome. I was however merely referring to the infrastructure available and the fact it must be useful to someone. Seems a shame to have both a large runway and a nearby port going to no use in an area that would welcome any growth and actually wants the aircraft to return.

[SWBKCB]

Where in the North of England would you find, or be able to build a port and a large runway in close proximity? .

Teesside? Humberside? Outside of England, Prestwick.

[Plane.Silly]

I'm not suggesting EVERYONE moves away from the M20 Freight channel and straight into Manston, that would economic suicide all round.
Have you any idea how much it costs to put a 13.6m artic on Eurotunnel versus the cost of flying 23 tonnes?
Again, not disputing this, but focusing more on the 'time save' and company-specific hub you could install

Maybe 1 or 2 operators could have made use of it initially. Wasn't expecting this level of backlash to be honest,

[paully]

I wonder if we will hear from the good Doctor again, now that River Oak appear to have pulled the rug from under his feet?

[Prophead]

Teesside? Humberside? Outside of England, Prestwick.

Teeside would require running any traffic to the port through built up areas as well as major construction. I have been involved in the potash tunnel up there and it was a nightmare getting it through planning & the campaigners Humberside is a better option but it isn't exactly surrounded by potential employees and so would still be less attractive than Manston with is close proximity to London and the channel.

As for Prestwick, that's too far away to be viable under the same plan.

Again, it was merely me musing about what a waste of ready made infrastructure it is in a prime position for Euro access. I have no specific idea of it's use and maybe there isn't one. It just seems such a shame to let it go when we struggle so much to build anything similar.

In a post Brexit world I can't help but think it is an asset we should try to preserve.

[ATNotts]

I'm not suggesting EVERYONE moves away from the M20 Freight channel and straight into Manston, that would economic suicide all round.

Again, not disputing this, but focusing more on the 'time save' and company-specific hub you could install

Maybe 1 or 2 operators could have made use of it initially. Wasn't expecting this level of backlash to be honest,

Sorry, it was my rather poor attempt as humour - they say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but with your handle I couldn't resist it.:O

The really time sensitive stuff that get delayed tends to be flown anyway, hence the AN12 and AN26 charters that are frequent visitors to BHX, along with Metroliners and SF340 equipment. However, if the UK doesn't stay in the customs union, and doesn't get another frictionless electronic or other fancy system in place, even cargo being flown in to airports closer to where the cargo is required are potentially subject to delays. Presently an aircraft arrives, the cargo taken straight off, transferred to a van and rushed to the line stop. With HMRC getting in way that quick transit just won't be guaranteed.

It's all (if you'll pardon the pun) "up in the air" at the moment, and the clock is ticking, as we are constantly being told.

[SWBKCB]

Sorry, it was my rather poor attempt as humour - they say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but with your handle I couldn't resist it.:O

The really time sensitive stuff that get delayed tends to be flown anyway, hence the AN12 and AN26 charters that are frequent visitors to BHX, along with Metroliners and SF340 equipment. However, if the UK doesn't stay in the customs union, and doesn't get another frictionless electronic or other fancy system in place, even cargo being flown in to airports closer to where the cargo is required are potentially subject to delays. Presently an aircraft arrives, the cargo taken straight off, transferred to a van and rushed to the line stop. With HMRC getting in way that quick transit just won't be guaranteed.

It's all (if you'll pardon the pun) "up in the air" at the moment, and the clock is ticking, as we are constantly being told.

And HMRC will likely prioritise the volume traffic at the ports - doesn't take much to jam up Dover.

[Plane.Silly]

Points taken, and thanks for the complement ATNotts :)

[racedo]

18265 people were claiming unemployment benefits in Kent.This has increased since last month. Thanet has the highest unemployment rate at 4.6%. Sevenoaks has the lowest unemployment rate at 0.8%. The 18‐24 year old unemployment rate in Kent is 3%.18 Oct 2017

That is in effect FULL employment.

[racedo]

Where in the North of England would you find, or be able to build a port and a large runway in close proximity? Not to mention access to a motorway, high speed rail and the tunnel. And why would you when you have Manston/Ramsgate available? To build this kind of facility would cost a fortune and take years just to get through planning.

Nope as there already are those facilties around.


If there are jobs then people will move, jobs are always welcome. I was however merely referring to the infrastructure available and the fact it must be useful to someone. Seems a shame to have both a large runway and a nearby port going to no use in an area that would welcome any growth and actually wants the aircraft to return.

You are being unrealistic I am afraid.
People will move for High tech, High Paying jobs but no company is going to build in invest where there is in effect full employment, low skills level, high housing costs becasue there is a disused airport beside it.

As for being beside Tunnel well seems like the Rail Freight depots around Rugby don't have an issue with it because stuff comes direct on a train to there.
As there is the retail distribution triangle where everyong has major RDCs then when locate where you can't get the staff in a high cost area where housing is expensive.

Reason why RDCs are in Rugby area rather than Manston is get to all the UK from Rugby area quickly and back, in Manston its an additional day.

Sadly Manston doesn't offer anything than is not offered elsewhere.

[EESDL]

So how much does the runway need to be extended to permit the big freighters to come and go?
Is there still the real estate available to extend?

[flying phil 2007]

So how much does the runway need to be extended to permit the big freighters to come and go?
Is there still the real estate available to extend?
The runway was long enough to take a 747.. it was also exceptionally wide I recall..

Remember seeing a Virgin 747 doing training circuits at Manston.. maybe it will reopen.. it must be the closest runway to Europe.

”Planet Thanet” was a bit run down in the 1980’s but seems to have recovered.

[compton3bravo]

The last time I looked at a map the UK was in Europe, I suppose you mean continental Europe.

[EESDL]

Even if a big bag of cash was found and the road/rail links improved, there looks little room to slide the runway Westward on extension to increase overflight heights of Ramsgate residents.
Either locals are 'for' it or 'against' it so little point Thanet CC and locals having an appetite to keep it an airport (or do they mean a large area of nothingness?) if night flights not acceptable.
I know a company that are looking for such a facility in SE UK but couldn't be expected to make it work with such a restriction.

[flying phil 2007]

Yup.. I think Manston is doomed unfortunately.. its a shame as it has so much history

I have been in Ramsgate when old DC-8’s and 707’s have thundered low overhead.. dont think the locals will be in favour of it being reactivated.. Gatwick is not too far away for most of Kent.. and the transport connections to Manston are not very good .. shame ;(

[Heathrow Harry]

Wonderful!!! Just when I needed cheering up this thread is back!!!!

[01475]

Wonderful!!! Just when I needed cheering up this thread is back!!!!

Manston however isn't. And won't be.

[Planespeaking]

Manston however isn't. And won't be.


It's dead but it won't lie down!!

[Jetscream 32]

So how much does the runway need to be extended to permit the big freighters to come and go?
Is there still the real estate available to extend?

Getting back to the question asked.....just for keyboard sake... it will never happen... Manston needed another 300mtr extension on the western end - it would have meant re-routing the minor road to the industrial estate off of the main roundabout to Monkton - for the width and PCN strength required - it was about 1 million a metre for the job to be done and Wiggins at the time whilst good at rattling the pot in the City - was living in cookoo land in their expectation.

We had done a deal with KLM on the back Pfizer at the time and got an agreement with Sean Coyle from Ryanair to launch routes..... but then the McGoldricks rocked up with the grand plan for the old Debis F100's on a lease by hour proposal and that was it - Oliver Iny was skipping around the city promoting Gatwick mk 2 - at that board meeting in Mayfair to approve of the plan for EUjet - one of us got up mid-pitch and walked out resigning on the spot - making a statement that it was financial suicide and impossible to achieve or deliver as per the expectations of the proposed plan... the rest, as they say, is history!!

Manston could have been:

A good little regional turboprop airport for a few routes like AMS / EDI / MAN / FRA in the 30-78 seat market
Max 250,000 pax per annum
A good little seasonal 738 route for a 16-week single rotation to the Algarve
A good freight airport for perishable and livestock
An excellent Biz airport if they had laid a few acres of more concrete and popped up a load of sheds to keep them in - the heli route shuttle to town is very quick and easy from there, and it would have been a damn sight cheaper than any of the London airports.

Ce la vie!

[flying phil 2007]

Oh well .. there is always Lydd just down the road.. and over a few hedges, roundabouts, etc..

[Prophead]

Speaking of which, when will the runway extension at Lydd go ahead?

[Planespeaking]

Speaking of which, when will the runway extension at Lydd go ahead?


Lydd like Manston is holed below the waterline because it does not have a viable catchment area. Unless you coach in the masses like it used to be in the 1960s for cheap inclusive tours holidays, and that travel model has changed, no one is going to drive to the middle of nowhere on the off chance an aircraft may turn up.

[Andy_S]

Oliver Iny was skipping around the city promoting Gatwick mk 2 - at that board meeting in Mayfair to approve of the plan for EUjet - one of us got up mid-pitch and walked out resigning on the spot - making a statement that it was financial suicide and impossible to achieve or deliver as per the expectations of the proposed plan... the rest, as they say, is history!!!

Ahh yes, Oliver Iny. Living breathing proof that dreamers are not necessarily the best people to commercialise their vision and bring it to life. Rarely has so much shareholder cash been sp****d up against a wall in pursuit of such an utterly futile and disastrous series of projects. I wonder what happened to him? Manston was the jewel in the Wiggins / Planestation crown of course, and if they’d stuck to running it as a niche operation along the lines you suggested then who knows? But Olly’s vision was far grander than that. He wanted a landmark international airport business and he wanted it in a hurry. So not only was Manston marketed as the next big London airport, but the operating rights to a whole string of obscure overseas airports was acquired (using unsecured loans), none of which had any realistic prospect of success, most of which faced well established competition and few of which came with any significant ongoing operations. The landlords probably couldn’t believe their luck.

To be fair, the final nail in the coffin was the disastrous acquisition of EUJet and Olly had been booted out by then. But by that point no-one was prepared to throw good money after bad. The mystery is just how Olly was able to get away with it for so long.

[AirportPlanner1]

The thing is even the “good little regional” model was marginal at best...MAN was tried and it was a disaster, BHD was tried and it was less than half full, EDI did OK but loads were far from spectacular and it was dropped, AMS was tried and loads were mediocre. Weekly to JER did OK. Med flights were tried and they were marginal at best.

I’m sure KLM could make a go of it a couple of times a day, BE could make another go of it with EDI, Ryanair could come in 4-5 weekly to some Med destinations. There is a bit of a market for bizjets and some freight. The problem is for the cost of reactivating the place it would be impossible to make any return, and any airline coming in would need considerable incentives to do so.

[01475]

It's dead but it won't lie down!!

Won't lie down? It's six foot under!

But people keep trying to dig the body up :-(

[toptrumps]

Ahh yes, Oliver Iny. Living breathing proof that dreamers are not necessarily the best people to commercialise their vision and bring it to life. Rarely has so much shareholder cash been sp****d up against a wall in pursuit of such an utterly futile and disastrous series of projects. I wonder what happened to him? Manston was the jewel in the Wiggins / Planestation crown of course, and if they’d stuck to running it as a niche operation along the lines you suggested then who knows? But Olly’s vision was far grander than that. He wanted a landmark international airport business and he wanted it in a hurry. So not only was Manston marketed as the next big London airport, but the operating rights to a whole string of obscure overseas airports was acquired (using unsecured loans), none of which had any realistic prospect of success, most of which faced well established competition and few of which came with any significant ongoing operations. The landlords probably couldn’t believe their luck.

To be fair, the final nail in the coffin was the disastrous acquisition of EUJet and Olly had been booted out by then. But by that point no-one was prepared to throw good money after bad. The mystery is just how Olly was able to get away with it for so long.

Not quite, Olly and Tony F were still very much linked to Plane Station. We hear Tony F was long gone from PS by the time the administrators arrived, this is not really correct, both Olly and TF were still involved at a distance and no doubt made off with some cash as a result of the crash of EU Jet and the airport along with Ex CEO Martin May, PJ Mcgoldslick and son Stuart.

[toptrumps]

The thing is even the “good little regional” model was marginal at best...MAN was tried and it was a disaster, BHD was tried and it was less than half full, EDI did OK but loads were far from spectacular and it was dropped, AMS was tried and loads were mediocre. Weekly to JER did OK. Med flights were tried and they were marginal at best.

I’m sure KLM could make a go of it a couple of times a day, BE could make another go of it with EDI, Ryanair could come in 4-5 weekly to some Med destinations. There is a bit of a market for bizjets and some freight. The problem is for the cost of reactivating the place it would be impossible to make any return, and any airline coming in would need considerable incentives to do so.

You need to understand that all of the above mentioned would be paying next to nothing in charges to the airport in order to operate from there. The passenger and cargo throughput is far from enough to make a profitable business and put money in the bank.

[toptrumps]

Maybe this bit?

We are about 10 weeks in since the DCO was pulled from the PI and still no sign of a re submission. Despite RSP stating within 6 weeks, the MP for North Thanet Gale force 9 saying within 2 weeks, and now Gale is saying another 2 weeks from now.

RSP have been spouting out they have spent 7 million so far on Manston when in fact they came clean to the PI with half a million, and still couldn't prove they had the funds to purchase the airport if a DCO was accepted.

Micky Mouse and Co.

[Jetscream 32]

You need to understand that all of the above mentioned would be paying next to nothing in charges to the airport in order to operate from there. The passenger and cargo throughput is far from enough to make a profitable business and put money in the bank.

Well, it used to cost us £6 mill a year to run Manston with Cat 6 fire-cover and ATC - guess what.......!! We never made any money.....
It would cost at least £40 mill to get the licence back and would require at least £100 mill in an investment of concrete/sheds and navaids in order to be a serious contender for anything to consider operating there again.

If you have a spare £250 mill in your back pocket and fancy a 100-year punt as a pension fund - crack on!!

[AirportPlanner1]

You need to understand that all of the above mentioned would be paying next to nothing in charges to the airport in order to operate from there. The passenger and cargo throughput is far from enough to make a profitable business and put money in the bank.

Is that not exactly what I said?

[Heathrow Harry]

Whatever happened to the Doctor??

I really miss his enthusiasm.......

[01475]

Whatever happened to the Doctor??

I really miss his enthusiasm.......

Some people started to get a bit personal and stalkerish in their responses to him, So I'm not surprised he moved on.

He was a most interesting character, I wish I could understand what motivated him. He could have achieved wonderful things by applying the same enthusiasm to something else; something worthwhile.

[Another James]

Round 2

RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) is today (16 July 2018) re-submitting its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) in which it seeks development consent and compulsory acquisition powers over the Manston Airport site. RSP’s plan for Manston envisages the airport as a major international cargo hub, as well as offering passenger flights.

RPS are not giving up :ok:

[EESDL]

Does that mean someone has moved Ramsgate?

[toptrumps]

Round 2

RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) is today (16 July 2018) re-submitting its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) in which it seeks development consent and compulsory acquisition powers over the Manston Airport site. RSP’s plan for Manston envisages the airport as a major international cargo hub, as well as offering passenger flights.

RPS are not giving up :ok:

RSP are in Cuckoo land

[Heathrow Harry]

Today's Times says that the planners have OK'd the Cargo hub but there will be a public enquiry before it goes ahead............... I'm not sure that is absolutely correct reading the local paper------------------------------------------
Government planning chiefs have agreed to take a look at plans to reopen Manston airport four years after it closed.Hopes to reopen the runway have been given a boost after the decision to accept an application for a development consent order (DCO) submitted by RiverOak Strategic Partners, the consortium which wants to turn the site into a cargo hub.The Planning Inspectorate today announced it would consider the bid after a previous application was withdrawn by RiverOak.https://www.kentonline.co.uk/_media/img/750x0/1D13FHLX8I6Z75DTK2II.jpgManston airport has been shut for years (3588233)North Thanet`s MP Sir Roger Gale has welcomed the Planning Inspectorate`s decision to accept the application for a DCO for Manston Airport, saying it is “a first but very significant step in the right direction".“This means that Manston has been accepted as a site of nationally important infrastructure," he said.





expect the return of The Doctor!!!

[Another James]

[QUOTE=Tagron;10113191]River Oak appear to be persevering with their attempt to reopen Manston.

yes indeed,they have their cheque book out https://www.pprune.org/images/infopop/icons/icon14.gif

River oak Strategic Partners. Land acquisition at Manston. RiverOak Strategic Partners completes Jentex acquisition | RSP (http://rsp.co.uk/news/riveroak-strategic-partners-completes-jentex-acquisition/)

[Asturias56]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-46758849

Plans to tackle post-Brexit traffic queues by holding lorries in a disused Kent airport will be tested on Monday, it has been revealed.

More than 100 HGVs will travel the 20-mile route from Manston Airport, near Ramsgate, to the Port of Dover. Hauliers fear that a no-deal Brexit will create additional border checks, leading to queues of up to 29 miles (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-43318258).
The government said it had to "prepare for all eventualities... including a possible no deal". Theresa May is attempting to persuade MPs to support her draft deal, but has faced opposition, including from the DUP, (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46757459) which props up the Conservative government. Duncan Buchanan, of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which helped to organise the trial, told the BBC: "These sort of practical, pragmatic tests need to be done - it just shouldn't be done as late as this. It should have taken place nine months ago."

Additional customs procedures are expected to create tailbacks He said any additional customs checks would lead to queues, adding: "The more rigorous the customs, the longer the queues are likely to be."Image copyright PAImage caption Manston Airport closed in May 2014

It is part of Operation Brock, which is intended to maintain traffic flow on the M20 and prevent a repeat of road closures experienced in 2015 under Operation Stack. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33669561)
The trial, which will take place between 08:00 and 11:00 GMT on the day many return to work for the first time after Christmas, will test how the A256 copes with increased lorry traffic. It has been organised with the help of the RHA and the Freight Transport Association. Mr Buchanan said import and export businesses on both sides of Channel had "no idea how they are going to deal with the customs process" under a no-deal Brexit.Image copyright AFPImage caption A

He said the Department for Transport (DfT) had hoped to keep the trial "pretty confidential", but details were leaked to local press (https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2019/01/03/hgv-convoy-to-take-part-in-trial-run-for-manston-post-brexit-lorry-park-plans/).

A DfT spokesman said: "We do not want or expect a no-deal scenario and continue to work hard to deliver a deal with the EU. However, it is the duty of a responsible government to continue to prepare for all eventualities and contingencies, including a possible no deal.

"We will be testing part of Operation Brock to ensure that, if it needs to be implemented, the system is fully functional."

Kent County Council said: "We are working with the Department for Transport to ensure there is an effective plan in place should there be any disruption once the UK has left the EU."

It said Operation Brock "would have taken place regardless of the result of the referendum, to improve contingency arrangements for a range of scenarios which could result in cross-Channel disruption, including bad weather and industrial action".

[lotus1]

Many years ago a certain company in the news recently who use to run the civil side at manston had an agreement with H M Customs to by pass the customs at Ramsgate and Dover and used the Customs at manston to clear freight this was before the open boarders looks like the present owners are going to try and do this again.all that traffic going through manston village get mobile tea vans out?

[Asturias56]

something on the BBC about them starting "an experiment" on Monday morning - sounded as if they are going to feed trucks onto the main road and measure at what point it stops.................... that's what I call evidence based policy making.................

[Winniebago]

See that RSP promised on 18th March to planning inspectorate that Manston would not be permitted to open between 11:00pm and 06:00am. Somewhat blows the whole business model for reopening out of the water where all the freight operations would want access during those hours in the main. Doomed, never going to happen on that basis.