There is finally some good news for drivers on the M20, as Operation Stack is scaled back.

The coast bound carriageway remains closed between junctions 8 and 9 but junctions 9, 10 and 11 are now open.

Last night police warned Operation Stack could last into the weekend as cross Channel services struggle to clear the freight traffic.

It is still not clear when the M20 will return to normal.

Almost two weeks of disruption has led to an unprecedented backlog of lorries waiting to leave for France.

The loss of MyFerryLink has reduced capacity, exacerbating the problems which have gridlocked parts of Kent over the last few days.

Kent police say Eurotunnel and the ferry services are working to clear the backlog, but the delays may last until the weekend.

Operation Stack remains in place between junctions 8 and 11 coast bound on the M20.

There is also no access to the coastbound M20 at junction 13, in order to prevent freight from jumping the Op Stack queue.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "The Port of Dover and Eurotunnel are working hard to transport freight vehicles still in Kent but due to the impact of disruption in Calais last week, its effect on freight movements and the loss of a ferry operator, Operation Stack and the diversions for non-freight traffic remain in place."

Operation Stack was introduced yesterday after migrants got onto a Eurotunnel shuttle in the early hours of the morning.

Operation Stack was introduced yesterday after migrants got onto a Eurotunnel shuttle in the early hours of the morning.

A statement released by police yesterday said: "Due to this morning’s disruption at the Channel Tunnel, all motorists are warned of significant disruption to their journeys.

"Anyone intending to travel across the Channel is advised to check with the operator before starting their journey.

"Operation Stack is being

put in place on the M20 coastbound carriageway.

"Non-freight coast-bound traffic will be diverted onto the A20 from Junction 8 (Hollingbourne) and will rejoin the motorway at Junction 9 (Ashford West).

"This allows freight traffic to park on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20."

Police are advising traffic coming off at J8 coast-bound to stick to the A20 if possible.

A group of seven Kent MPs met with the transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin yesterday to urge the government to find an alternative to Operation Stack.

Meanwhile, services are still suspended on DFDS Seaways ferries between Dover and Calais due to limited berths at the port.

The service is likely to be suspended until at least the end of today.

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