Kentish Express Ashford & District
Impact of lorry park still secret
Government officials are continuing to block the release of information about the impact of lorry park holding sites, saying it is not in the public interest.
Work on what are described as Inland Border Facilities began in September on two sites at Ashford - the 27-acre MOJO site at Sevington and another at Waterbrook.
The Department of Transport is using powers to construct the sites, which will be used for Customs checks and for holding lorries in the event of disruption at the Channel ports, without going through the usual planning process.
Under the powers for Special Development Orders, there is no requirement to submit environmental impact assessments before any ministerial decision, as there is under normal planning procedures.
The Express had asked for details of any impact assessments on the environment and traffic modelling of the Sevington site under The Freedom of Information Act. That request was rejected in September and now an appeal against the refusal to disclose information has also been rejected.
The DfT maintained its argument it would not be in the public interest for the information to be released as the government was still considering the policy of using the site, which is capable of holding 2,000 HGVs.
Its response said: “A final decision has yet to be made by the Minister. You are probably aware that the ICO (Information Commissioner Office) makes it clear that one of the factors that is a key indicator regarding the formulation or development of policy is that a final decision will be made either by the Cabinet or the relevant minister. It is clear, in this instance, that the policy has not been finalised and that implementation has not commenced. This is essentially a
live policy issue.”
While the DfT acknowledged that were documents that covered impact assessments and traffic modelling, they were unfinished and “still in the course of completion.”
It argued officials required “a safe space within which to develop and engage with relevant stakeholders to formulate and develop their policy approach.”
Contractors recently increased work round the clock at the two sites to make up for lost time and to ensure that the sites were operational by January for the end of the Brexit transition.