‘Pandemonium’ fears over station lorry park plans
Ebbsfleet International station will be used by the government for Brexit purposes, it has emerged, after its sudden closure as a coronavirus test centre.
HMRC – which deals with customs checks – has been seeking to use the railway land if the UK leaves the European Union (EU) without a deal in December. A Kent County Council (KCC) letter has been leaked which shows that the Ebbsfleet Covid testing centre closed two weeks ago because it would be needed for Brexit purposes.
Precise use has not been confirmed but it is believed that one of Ebbsfleet station’s car parks would hold up to 80 lorries at a time and a booking system implemented for slots. The Cabinet Office has been approached for comment.
Dartford councillor Sacha Gosine (Lab), who represents the area at district level, has written to local MP Gareth Johnson
(Con) raising concerns.
Cllr Gosine says the pandemic should dominate the focus of the government rather than removing an existing Covid site.
Cllr Gosine said it would be a “logistical nightmare” for officials and warned that it would cause chaos on the M25 if there was a crash near the Dartford Tunnel leading to traffic piling up.
Dartford council’s main opposition leader added: “We are talking about pandemonium for the rest of Dartford and its residents.”
In September 2019, planning permission was granted which allows use of the Ebbsfleet site temporarily for customs clearance until December 31, 2020.