A five-point plan explaining how gridlock can be avoided at Dover with goods continuing to stream through ports after Brexit has been presented to the government, with a plea to keep “order at the border”.
The queue-busting dossier calls for the new Thames Crossing and M20 lorry park to be taken forward at speed and upgrades to the M2 and A2 completed on time.
The 50-page report, Ready on Day One, also urges an extension to the Le Touquet Treaty by way of an “entente cordiale” to cover customs co-operation and build deeper bonds with France.
It said there was a “mind-boggling” array of ministries, quangos and agencies that all have border responsibilities and so one single ministry should be created to avoid muddle and confusion that would undermine the UK’s ability to be ready from the start.
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke developed the plan and he said it had the backing of industry leaders, haulage associations, ports and shippers.
“Gridlock at Dover will mean gridlock for the UK economy,” he said. “Yet with proper planning we can not only be ready on day one - we can make Brexit a real success. That’s what this plan is about.”
Elphicke said the roads from the Channel ports across the Thames were hopelessly inadequate and the new Thames Crossing had to be delivered faster than in a decade. He also called for the M20 to be widened and the M2/A2 dualled.
The report stated: “Dover and Eurotunnel act as the gateway to the UK for over 40% of Britain’s trade with the EU. The road network is already finely balanced and overloaded – leaving the EU will add greater pressure which is why urgent investment must be made over the next two years.”
The FTA said it fully agreed with the conclusions.
Natalie Chapman, FTA head of policy for London and the South-East, added: “The M2/M25 route is a vital cog in the country’s freight machine and it must continue to work as smoothly as possible, as we move towards leaving the European Union, to ensure that British companies can trade without delays both domestically and internationally.”
Elphicke said it was also essential the country joined the Common Transit Convention, which would enable hauliers to trade without being stopped for customs checks at every member state border.
Richard Christian, a port of Dover spokesman, said: “The report identifies some potential options to get to our goal of frictionless trade. The port particularly welcomes the inclusion of Transit, a passport for goods that should be considered as part of the solution to the trading success of the UK, Ireland and other European partners.”
International trade barrister Jeremy White described the report as “an important contribution to the Brexit debate” and said very little had been done to address the practical concerns of traders:
“The report succeeds in filling the gap with some sensible proposals,” he added.
In March, the International Trade Committee warned that the cross-border movement of goods is “entering uncharted waters” as the government prepares for two years of Article 50 negotiations.
