TRAFFIC on the M20 is reported to be flowing again following earlier congestion caused by berthing problems at the port in Calais.

Operation Stack was implemented at 8am this morning and hundreds of lorries bound for France were backed up along the inside lane of the coastbound stretch of the motorway between Maidstone and Hythe.

Officials at the Port of Dover had warned that the backlog of vehicles would take until at least 5pm to clear and could disrupt rush hour journeys, but police now say the carriageway has been fully reopened and traffic problems have eased.

Last week a berth at Calais broke when a support cable snapped. Three people were hurt and two lorries overturned. Two more berths were then taken out of action for safety work.

Ferry sailings have been halved after the Port of Calais said it was experiencing slow turnarounds because only one freight vehicle could go onto the berths at a time.

Passengers with prior bookings on the Dover-Calais route are encouraged to travel but those without bookings should check with the ferry companies before setting out.