A Labour MEP says it is ‘criminal’ that the government has not yet laid out its contingency plans for dealing with Operation Stack as the clock ticks towards next March.

South East MEP John Howarth said the motorway network needed significant investment if the government was to be adequately prepared for delays and disruption to the M20.

He fired a broadside at the government over its inaction, saying there was no guarantee of a customs agreement that would ensure frictionless trade across the EU.

“This is a massive concern for the future of Kent and for the future of the UK, past the point of leaving the UK and past the point of the transition period.”

“We are at the point where there is no possibility of frictionless trade. The reality is that we are going to need significant infrastructure in Kent and a credible plan because you simply cannot have a customs arrangement that doesn't involve inspection.”

“If you take two minutes extra, as the Port of Dover says it does, to inspect every lorry that will take 37 hours a day. This route takes 17% of all exports to Europe and a great many imports to the UK. It is critical to the UK and it is criminal that there is no credible plan 18 months since the referendum.”

His comments, made in an interview on the latest edition of ‘Paul On Politics’ on KMTV, come after we revealed that Highways England was considering a scheme in which lorries would continue to park on the M20 at the same time as allowing other motorists to travel on it in both directions.

Transport secretary of state Chris Grayling said on a visit to Ashford last week that he expected an agreement would be reached on frictionless trade before Brexit.

“It is really important that we keep the motorway open in both directions on an interim basis and then we will work through longer term solutions," he said.