UK ministers warn of 7,000-truck-long queues in Kent after Brexit transition period
By Caoimhe Toman
Date: Wednesday 23 Sep 2020
(Sharecast News) - UK ministers warned on Wednesday that a worst case scenario post-Brexit transition period would see queues of as many as 7,000 trucks in Kent.
If hauliers fail to prepare for changes to customs rules, it is likely that there will be up to two-day delays in goods exports and imports.
The cabinet office minister, Michael Gove, wrote to logistics groups detailing the government's "reasonable worst-case scenario" planning, which warns of possible two-day delays for cargo travelling to France in January, reported the Guardian on Wednesday.
In the document, the Government states that, in said scenario, around 30-50% of trucks crossing the Channel will not be ready for the new regulations in time.
It adds that the "lack of capacity to hold unready trucks at French ports" could reduce the flow of traffic across the strait to 60-80% of normal levels.
Gove is due to outline the scenario work in the Commons on Wednesday.
Gove also warned changes were coming with or without a deal and that if the delays occurred they could last for at least three months.
In his letter, Gove said: "Irrespective of the outcome of negotiations between the UK and EU, traders will face new customs controls and processes. Simply put, if traders, both in the UK and EU, have not completed the right paperwork, their goods will be stopped when entering the EU and disruption will occur.
"It is essential that traders act now and get ready for new formalities."
The European Union and the UK government are still in negotiations trying to push ahead a post-Brexit trade deal before the transition period expires at the end of the year.
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