Keep Calm And Carry On?
Truck & Driver|November 2017

With Brexit negotiations continuing, the likelihood of delays for truck drivers at British ports is at the forefront of the minds of everyone in the industry

Chris Tindall
Keep Calm And Carry On?

Trade at ports such as Dover will grind to a halt after Brexit unless a ‘transitional agreement’ can be negotiated with other European countries, the chancellor of the exchequer has said.

Philip Hammond recently gave evidence to a House of Lords committee in which he acknowledged that any short-term arrangement that enabled frictionless trade would have to be agreed with EU negotiators – and that a failure to do so could spell chaos for traffic at UK ports.

However, professional drivers have told T&D that the need to maintain seamless trade is as important for other European countries as it is for Britain and failure will not be allowed.

Concerns have been growing that when the country pulls out of the Customs Union HGVs will be delayed by additional checks at ports, with queues and bottlenecks likely.

“The volumes of trade at Dover could not be accommodated if goods had to be held for inspection, even if they are only held for minutes,” according to Hammond.

“Roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) traffic at Dover is predicated on trucks rolling off a ferry immediately out of the port, and the ferry reloading and departing pretty rapidly. Anything that caused delays in vehicles exiting the port or delays in vehicles off-loading, would cause significant disruption to patterns of movement. We are looking at contingency arrangements in the case of a no-deal exit.”

His comments follow a report published by Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, ‘Ready on Day One’, which sets out what he believes is needed to ensure the Channel ports avoid gridlock and meet the Brexit borders challenge.

Esta historia es de la edición November 2017 de Truck & Driver.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 2017 de Truck & Driver.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE TRUCK & DRIVERVer todo
Well forked Daf
Truck & Driver

Well forked Daf

Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift

time-read
9 minutos  |
August 2021
King of the hill
Truck & Driver

King of the hill

Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750

time-read
9 minutos  |
August 2021
Time Machine 2015-2019
Truck & Driver

Time Machine 2015-2019

It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up

time-read
10+ minutos  |
August 2021
Original and best
Truck & Driver

Original and best

There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420

time-read
7 minutos  |
August 2021
GOING ALL THE WAY
Truck & Driver

GOING ALL THE WAY

Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet

time-read
7 minutos  |
August 2021
Abnormal loads
Truck & Driver

Abnormal loads

In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2021
Range change
Truck & Driver

Range change

After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie

time-read
9 minutos  |
August 2021
Cutting a dash
Truck & Driver

Cutting a dash

Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2021
Air we go!
Truck & Driver

Air we go!

On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance

time-read
1 min  |
August 2021
A Cutt Above
Truck & Driver

A Cutt Above

From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years

time-read
7 minutos  |
August 2021