A new 70-acre lorry park has been proposed to help manage freight traffic travelling through the Port of Dover. The development, put forward by GSE Group, would be built near the Court Wood Interchange on the A20 – the final junction before reaching the port. The company, which also runs the Ashford International Truckstop, says the project would ease congestion, improve driver welfare, and boost the local economy.
According to GSE, the site would have the capacity to accommodate around 10% of the port’s daily HGV traffic, providing secure parking just a few miles from the ferry terminal. The park is set to feature a range of facilities for drivers, including showers, a restaurant, a gym, and a convenience store. Around 100 new jobs could also be created for the Dover area if the plans go ahead.
GSE Group chairperson Darrell Healey said the development would help address the ongoing shortage of secure parking for cross-Channel freight and reduce illegal roadside parking. He added that better facilities would also help prevent crime linked to HGVs in Kent.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, welcomed the proposal, noting that accessible, high-quality parking is essential for freight operators and driver wellbeing. A public consultation on the scheme is expected to begin in December before a formal planning application is submitted.
