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Kent residents who believe they will be affected by ambitious plans to build a truck park next to the M20 have formed a campaign group to oppose the idea. People living in the villages of Aldington, Mersham and Sellindge called a public meeting last weekend to discuss the proposals and object to the plans.

Kent County Council says it sent a Highways member to attend the meeting and hear people's views, but that it will still seek planning  permission to build on the 70-acre site. It is looking to the Department for Transport to fund the scheme.

However, not all Kent residents oppose the idea. Ashford-based campaigner Margaret Pryke has told CM she will do everything she can to support the council. Pryke says she is blighted by dozens of trucks using the Orbital Business Park in Ashford to park up each night and using roads as an "unofficial lorry park".

She says: "Having seen the site that is planned I think it's the best possible site. I do understand people in the villages are very worried, but I don't think they will have a great deal of noise.

"We are the ones who keep them on the roads everything is delivered on a lorry. I will continue as long as I possibly can to campaign for a lorry park where those guys can take their breaks and be treated as human beings." The Freight Transport Association says  it is concerned by predicted increases in trucks travelling through the county and a subsequent rise in the shortfall of overnight spaces to 1,300 by 2024.