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So, as the trade talks continue, plans have been announced today to deal with any possible disruption at Holyhead and Dublin ports.
As @wg_CounselGen started outlining on #PoliticsWales yesterday - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000q88j/politics-wales-06122020 - lorries will be stacked on the A55 as a last resort:
As @wg_CounselGen started outlining on #PoliticsWales yesterday - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000q88j/politics-wales-06122020 - lorries will be stacked on the A55 as a last resort:
The plans are in place because under the Uk Government's worst-case scenario 40-70% of lorries arriving at the port could be turned away because they won't have the correct documents.
So, if they’re turned away this is the overflow capacity:
180 lorries at Roadking
150 at Parc Cybj plot 9
240 contraflow on the A55
180 lorries at Roadking 150 at Parc Cybj plot 9 240 contraflow on the A55
On the other side of the Irish Sea, the Irish Government has just announced its own plans to deal with congestion at Dublin Port. https://twitter.com/Dept_Transport/status/1335956754191015936
Calls in Dublin for the ferry operators @StenaLineUKIE & @Irish_Ferries to stagger arrival times at the port.
8 ferries arrive in 2s with just 10 mins between some arrivals.
Port has asked for 3-hour intervals. Stena's offering extension of 25-40 mins. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/stena-line-considers-extending-dublin-ferry-arrivals-to-ease-brexit-congestion-1.4429095#.X84LeirKBCc.twitter
8 ferries arrive in 2s with just 10 mins between some arrivals.
Port has asked for 3-hour intervals. Stena's offering extension of 25-40 mins. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/stena-line-considers-extending-dublin-ferry-arrivals-to-ease-brexit-congestion-1.4429095#.X84LeirKBCc.twitter
And to be absolutely clear, as @TegidRoberts points out, the 40-70% HGVs being turned away is the reaonable worst-case scenario. It could be much worse.
What about checks on inbound traffic from Dublin?
Majority of inbound goods won't be checked until July.
But for those that do need to be checked, they'll have to go to Warrington.
HGVs arriving at Liverpool and Heysham ports will also travel here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55160499
Majority of inbound goods won't be checked until July.
But for those that do need to be checked, they'll have to go to Warrington.
HGVs arriving at Liverpool and Heysham ports will also travel here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-55160499
There's still no confirmation of a site on Anglesey as negotiations continue around buying the Roadking site. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-55149388
The idea is that this new site will be a joint site where customs (HMRC) and sanitary and phytosanitary (Welsh Gov) checks will be conducted.
So, in line with the UK Gov's Border Operating Model - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/925140/BordersOpModel.pdf - this needs to be up and running by July.
So, in line with the UK Gov's Border Operating Model - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/925140/BordersOpModel.pdf - this needs to be up and running by July.
The Welsh Government is also looking at sites in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire where just SPS checks on lorries arriving at Pembroke and Fishguard ports will be conducted.
HMRC believes it'll be able to conduct customs checks within both ports.
HMRC believes it'll be able to conduct customs checks within both ports.
So, 2 or 3 sites will be needed in north and south west Wales before July.
@wg_CounselGen said yesterday: "We think there's a serious risk, both in north Wales and in the south west, that the arrangements won't be ready for July of next year."
@wg_CounselGen said yesterday: "We think there's a serious risk, both in north Wales and in the south west, that the arrangements won't be ready for July of next year."
And don't forget these plans need to be put in place, deal or no deal.
ENDS
ENDS
