Call to speak out over lorry park plans

PEOPLE of Coventry are being urged to have their say on plans for a 200-space ‘Brexit lorry park’ in Solihull.

The lorry park would be located at Birmingham Airport, close to the A45 Coventry Road.

The site would impact on Coventry and lead to increased congestion, according to one local political leader in the city.

More details of the proposal - designed to prevent border chaos in the coming months - have been published by the Government.

It emerged in early September that Birmingham Airport’s Car Park 6 had been earmarked for the 24/7 facility, one of several where trucks will be sent from the New Year onwards.

The Birmingham Airport Inland Border Facility would be located on land currently used as Car Park 6.

The site lies to the south east of the airport terminal and runway and has direct access to the A45 (Coventry Road) near the intersection with the M42 at J6.

Controversially ministers are using emergency powers which enable them to push ahead with the large-scale scheme, without having to secure planning permission from Solihull Council.

Critics say this process sidesteps local decision makers, with residents and the local authority itself only invited to provide “feedback.”

The initial 14-day consultation period, for residents to submit their comments, will run until October 30.

West Midlands Liberal Democrats from across the region are urging people to take part in the consultation exercise and one Lib Dem activist has warned it will impact on Coventry.

Chair of the Coventry Liberal Democrats James Morshead said: “Coventrians I speak to are already frustrated that decisions which impact on our environment, roads and congestion are being done to them and not made with them.”

The lorry park would provide customs and transit checks required by hauliers after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.