More than 3,000 jobs could be created as the government announces major projects throughout Kent - including investment in a solution to Operation Stack and developing international services at Ashford International.

The government has today announced it is prepared to invest around £3m in finding solutions to the disruption to the county caused by Operation Stack.

It is also creating up to 2,000 jobs at Ashford International Station, to improve international services.

The investment is part of a £19.4m allocation of funds through the Local Growth Fund, and includes:

• The relocation of an existing marina and improved highway connections to permit expansion of cargo-handling facility and regeneration of waterfront at Dover, leading to 100 new homes and the creation of 500 jobs
• Investment in signalling at Ashford International railway station to help secure international rail services at Ashford and up to 2000 jobs
• A new lorry parking capacity in the M20 corridor, easing congestion, tackling Operation Stack, and facilitating new housing and up to 300 jobs
• Growth in the advanced manufacturing sector through the provision of new employment (up to 300 jobs) and innovation space at Rochester Airport in Medway
• Mixed-use redevelopment of Folkestone seafront to provide up to 500 jobs, 300 homes, improved leisure facilities and public realm

The Operation Stack investment comes after KCC announced it was eyeing a site at Westenhanger, Folkestone for a lorry park for 1,500-3,000 HGVs as well as developing a series of smaller lorry parks that would be open round the clock.

The money has been allocated through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which has agreed an expansion to its Growth Deal with the Government.

This will see an extra £46.1m invested in the south east area between 2016 and 2021. This is in addition to the £442.2m of funding committed by the Government in July 2014.

Kent and Medway's share will be £19.4m.

It is not clear exactly how much will be available for the Operation Stack or what it will be used for.

The South East LEP Growth Deal is part of a long term plan to devolve at least £12 billion from central government to local economies.

The plan aims for every part of the country to be a motor of growth for the national economy – building on the strength of the South East.