TRUCKS were this afternoon queued back for two miles on the A14 after high winds closed Britain's biggest port.Police launched Operation Stack to deal with the hundreds of lorries arriving but unable to enter the docks at Felixstowe, where container terminals were already full of vehicles.

By Richard Cornwell

TRUCKS were this afternoon queued back for two miles on the A14 after high winds closed Britain's biggest port.

Police launched Operation Stack to deal with the hundreds of lorries arriving but unable to enter the docks at Felixstowe, where container terminals were already full of vehicles.

Quayside cranes could not operate safely because of the strong, gusty winds.

The outside lane of the A14 was being used to park the lorries as drivers waited for the winds to drop. Some Felixstowe lorries were able to park in their depots.

But with peak time nearing, by 4.30pm the lorries were queued back to the Trimley interchange - leaving car drivers the slow journey into Felixstowe via the dual carriageway or the alternative of using the Levington linkroad and High Road through the twin Trimley villages to escape the chaos.

Lorry drivers were being advised not to travel to Felixstowe and to park up and wait if possible.

Hutchison Ports UK said the weather forecast for the next 24 hours was strong winds.

“We are currently experiencing wind speeds at or around our operational limits for both shipping and yard activities. Therefore all operations will experience some delays and disruption during this period,” said the company.