Kentish Express Ashford & District
Leaked report warns of ‘months of port delays’
Government insists it outlines a ‘worst-case scenario’
A leaked government report has warned Kent will face months of congestion and disruption with significant queues at ports and lorries delayed for as long as twoand-a-half days.
The report, published by The Sunday Times, sets out the government’s ‘no deal’ contingency plans. Codenamed Operation Yellowhammer, it paints a bleak picture of extensive disruption and carries a warning that the public and businesses are unprepared for a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
On the possibility of delays at the Channel ports, the report warns that between 50% and 85% of HGVs may not be ready for French customs and the flow of freight could be reduced by as much as 60% within one day.
That would result in “significant queues” in Kent with lorries facing a maximum delay under a reasonable case scenario of two and a half days before being able to cross the border.
It states the worst disruption to Channel crossings might last three months before things start to improve.
There would also be an impact on holidaymakers, with long queues and delays at EU Airports, St Pancras Railway Station, Eurotunnel and Dover.
On the possibility of a shortage of medicines it says that unless action is taken to improve the flow rate of lorries through the ports, the supply of medicines and drugs would be “vulnerable to severe extended delays” with three quarters of medicines coming into the UK via the main Channel ports.
A ‘no deal’ Brexit would also put social care providers under increased pressure, with rising costs adversely impacting “smaller providers... within two to three months and larger providers four to six months after exit.”
The report warns the readiness of business and the public for the new departure date is worse than it was for the original Brexit date at the end of March.
“The absence of a clear decision on the form of the EU Exit does not provide a concrete situation for third parties to prepare for.”
Antony Hook, a south east Liberal Democrat MEP and county councillor, said: “This report is a klaxon call to stop Brexit. Whatever legitimacy the 2016 referendum might have once had has now completely gone. As a Kent county councillor I know the pressure our fragile social care system is under. Kent relies on the very care providers this report warns may fail and exit the market within six months.”
Michael Gove, who is overseeing the Brexit process, looked to play down the findings within the report, saying it outlined only a “worst-case scenario”.