BRITAIN'S biggest port is open again after being closed because freezing fog and air frost froze its cranes.

Richard Cornwell

BRITAIN'S biggest port is open again after being closed because freezing fog and air frost froze its cranes.

High-rise quayside cranes at Felixstowe were frozen with ice, leaving them unable to operate and too dangerous for crane drivers to climb.

With yards and port holding areas full, Operation Stack was put in place on the old A45 at Levington.

It was more than 12 hours before the port could be re-opened and quayside, rail and container storage park operations were able to resume.

Although Operation Stack is still in place, terminals at the port are now able to process vehicles issued with a ticket and which have a valid booking.

“It will take time to clear these vehicles therefore drivers are requested to delay their journey until normal operations resume,” said a port spokesman.

“Vehicles with tickets will be released from holding areas in a controlled manner, to allow them to be handled as efficiently as possible, and minimise local congestion.”

The port area is still experiencing dense fog conditions and reduced visibility.

“The current forecast is for the present situation to remain in place overnight tonight and temperatures are again expected to fall below freezing - minus 3C to minus 4C - until tomorrow,” said the spokesman.

“There is a likelihood of further disruption to both shipping and landside operations, but we are putting measures in place to minimise any landside delays.”