OPERATION Stack was put in place this afternoon with Britain's biggest container terminal closed due to strong winds.Quayside cargo handling work at the Port of Felixstowe was put on hold at noon after winds exceeded 45mph - the limit at which it is safe to work unloading and loading boxes from the ships.

Richard Cornwell

OPERATION Stack was put in place this afternoon with Britain's biggest container terminal closed due to strong winds.

Quayside cargo handling work at the Port of Felixstowe was put on hold at noon after winds exceeded 45mph - the limit at which it is safe to work unloading and loading boxes from the ships.

In mid-afternoon, after 350 trucks were parked up on the port, the gates would accept no more and the Operation Stack holding area on the old A45 at Levington was opened.

Suffolk police and officials from the Highways Agency were on site assisting with the management of vehicles.

Lorry drivers were advised to leave the A14 at Seven Hills interchange and join the stack.

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

“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.

“When conditions improve it is likely to take some time to clear all waiting vehicles, in view of this hauliers travelling to the port are advised to delay their journey until normal operations resume.”