answer text |
<p>The Government expects to reach a deal with the EU which will avoid any such eventuality.
But as a responsible Government we have to consider all eventualities, and are working
to ensure that, should no deal be achieved, additional UK customs checks do not take
place at the frontier, and so do not result in disruption to surrounding transport
infrastructure. The possibility, that checks required by the EU in Member States might
have such an effect, is being considered where appropriate by Local Resilience Fora
(LRFs), with the ports themselves closely involved; and by the Devolved Administrations
in relation to ports in their territories.</p><p>Specifically in relation to the short
Strait crossings from Dover and through the Channel Tunnel, we announced in May the
development of Operation Brock which, in the event of serious disruption to those
routes from whatever cause, will ensure that the M20 will be kept open and traffic
will continue to flow in both directions. Operation Brock consists of three phases,
a contraflow queuing system on the M20, a holding areas at Manston Airport and, if
necessary, a holding area on the M26. The Department is working closely with the Kent
Resilience Form, the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and other associated bodies. The contraflow
queuing system on the M20 will cost about £30 million to build and operate and would
be used for all disruption events including those seen in 2015. The works required
for the M26 are within the region of £5 million.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|