Hauliers dispute claims by French port boss

Hauliers have struck back at suggestions from the head of the French Channel ports that the trade route between Dover and Calais will continue to run smoothly after Brexit.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA), which represents the UK industry, said it is “clear” that British authorities are not “Brexit-ready” and warned of an “information abyss”.

France’s Jean-Marc Puissesseau had accused “certain individuals” of scaremongering with talk of transport chaos and said authorities were ready for Britain’s scheduled departure from the EU on October 31.

“Nothing is going to happen the day after Brexit,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

“Traffic will be completely fluid”

“Britain will be a third country, that’s all, and there is no reason why this should lead to any problems.

“If both sides do their homework, traffic will be completely fluid.”

But RHA chief executive Richard Burnett hit back at suggestions that the UK is “Brexitready” and called for the government to deliver “desperately needed” clarity for lorries crossing the Channel.

“From the meetings we have had it is clear that they are not (ready),” he said.

Hauliers have also expressed concerns that lorry drivers in Dover could face sitting in two-day queues without food or toilets if the UK crashes out of the EU.