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Brexit uncertainty and Christmas bookings have caused huge lines in Kent, with a line of trucks stretching five miles down the M20 as they headed for the Eurotunnel.
Many companies are warehousing products in an effort to avoid the disruption of inter-channel deliveries, which is expected to occur when Britain leaves the EU in late December. With the prospect of a no-deal Brexit looming, uncertainty has increased among businesses about the impact the exit could have.
Combined with the normal increase in activity at Christmas, this has caused travel delays for freight drivers in recent weeks.
On Saturday morning, queues on the motorway leading to the Channel Tunnel entrance started in the Ashford area and stretched for several kilometers to the tunnel entrance at Folkestone. There were also long lines of heavy vehicles along the M20 between Capel-le-Ferne and the port of Dover.
A government report released on Saturday said companies are being “held back” by the lack of a trade deal with the EU, and negotiators warn that no deal appears likely.
The report, from the House of Commons committee on the future relationship with the European Union, said that the government’s attempts to communicate with businesses about the impact Brexit could have on them “seem, at best, , irregular ”.
“Time is short and, in making their preparations, companies continue to be held back by restrictions imposed to control the spread of Covid-19, a lack of detailed guidance and continued uncertainty about the final terms of the future relationship between the United Kingdom. and the EU, “it said.
However, Port of Dover CEO Doug Bannister said Friday that he was confident the port could handle any uncertainties.
“Dover has a proven track record of handling the disruption in a good and successful manner, and we can handle the disruption and, more importantly, regain position very quickly,” he said.
He also said the rush in freight transport in the run-up to Christmas could mean the following weeks were quieter.
Queues of similar length piled up in Kent last month as French authorities began their post-Brexit traveller’s check test. The queues gave an idea of the impact Brexit could have on travel across the English Channel when it takes effect in January.
