SNOW forced Britain's biggest port to close today - with Operation Stack put into action.Officials at Felixstowe said the snow and sleet was making conditions very difficult on the quaysides.

Richard Cornwell

SNOW forced Britain's biggest port to close today - with Operation Stack put into action.

Officials at Felixstowe said the snow and sleet was making conditions very difficult on the quaysides.

“Due to the adverse weather conditions affecting operations, the haulier holding areas on port are full and Operation Stack to temporarily hold vehicles on the old A45 at Levington are in place,” said a port spokesman.

“Suffolk Constabulary and the Highways Agency are assisting with the management of road vehicles.

“From this time, no container vehicles will be allowed onto the port until Operation Stack is lifted unless they have a ticket.

“Tickets can be obtained from the holding area on the old A45.

“Any vehicles arriving at the port without a ticket and valid booking will be redirected either to its local yard or to the old A45.”

Lorry drivers should leave the A14 at the Seven Hills interchange to be directed into the stack holding area.

Once conditions improve, it was expected to take some time to clear all waiting vehicles and truckers travelling to the port are being advised to delay their journey until normal operations resume.

The port apologised for the inconvenience the disruption was causing but said the measures were to ensure the safety of all port users.