Auditors warn of huge Dover delays following Brexit

Auditors have warned that delays and disruption could occur at border entry points such as the Port of Dover if the government fails to take steps to prepare for the UK’S departure from the EU.

A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) says border controls will need to change to take account of Brexit, and expresses concern that arrangements might not be ready by 2019.

It says the Port of Dover could see delays after the UK leaves the EU because of the need to make many more customs checks. It also predicts bottlenecks and congestion are possible as the time needed to make checks will increase.

Auditors estimate that immigration officials will need to make 230% more decisions a year if the existing regime for travel- lers from outside the European Economic Area is extended to European arrivals.

If customs declarations were needed for trade between the UK and EU, the total number could soar by 360%.

The report warns that the Port does not have capacity for inspecting and checking vehicles, and it would be wrong to think that border controls can continue by “doing more of the same.”

“This assumption may not prove true and in some circumstances, the ability to scale up operations will be constrained by physical and other infrastructure,” it says.

“For example, there are a limited number of inspection bays available to search incoming traffic at Dover, and there are physical constraints on creating new inspection bays.”

“Increased border controls could limit the flow of goods and people, creating bottlenecks and substantially increased waiting times.

“If these persisted, perishable goods could be damaged and supply chains could be interrupted.”

MP Meg Hillier, who chairs the all-party public accounts select committee, said: “How the UK manages its borders has been a question of significant concern in the government’s approach to Brexit. But this report from the NAO underlines the sheer scale of the task ahead.

“Add to that the Home Office’s poor track record with projects like e-borders, and for all the government bluster about Brexit it’s difficult to see how, practically, it will be able to deliver any of these huge changes in time.”

A government spokesperson responded: “We have set out proposals for an ambitious future trade and customs relationship with the EU, and we will be setting out proposals for the future immigration system in due course.

“We will ensure we have the resources we need to continue to run an effective customs, borders and immigration system.”

The National Audit Office says the port of Dover simply does not have the facilities to cope with big potential increases in vehicle and passenger checks