The disused port of Stranraer in Scotland will be used as a lorry park for up to 300 HGVs in order to mitigate the “significant economic shock” brought about by a no-deal Brexit.

The Scottish government has set out a range of measures to protect critical imports and vulnerable citizens and it has detailed steps to protect food and medicine supplies and support businesses.

However, it also said that its preparations were being made “unnecessarily difficult by the lack of engagement and information from the UK government".

It said plans had been drawn up to use the port in Stranraer “to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows between Northern Ireland and Scotland increase to a level that requires additional stacking capacity around the port.

“Transport Scotland is also working with the logistics industry to explore promotion around the ability for some goods to be moved by container through existing services from Grangemouth and Greenock Ocean Terminal – as an alternative to the short straits crossings,” it added.

John Swinney, deputy first minister, said: “The document we have published today sets out not just the measures we are taking to mitigate the worst impacts of a no-deal Brexit, but also the areas where we require action from the UK Government.

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“It is the product of an extensive programme of work. It is important, though, to be clear that there is no amount of preparation that could ever make us entirely ready for the needless and significant impact of a no-deal.”

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said his party was committed to leaving the EU with a deal as the best way to avoid a no-deal exit: “We continue to believe that securing a deal is best for protecting our economy, and that that is where our efforts should be concentrated,” he added.

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