Lorry boss dismisses Gove’s warning of Brexit port chaos

 Europa Worldwide boss says operators ‘aren't stupid’ and long queues ‘won't happen in reality’

Source - Daily Telegraph 25/09/20

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Days-long lorry queues around Dover and the Channel Tunnel are highly unlikely after Brexit, the boss of a major trucking company has said.

There is little danger that Government fears of a 7,000-vehicle tailback through Kent will come to pass, according to Europa Worldwide managing director Andrew Baxter.

The trucking chief, whose firm runs more than 400,000 shipments a year and is one of the UK’s largest privately owned logistics operators, said: “To be honest, I think this is a misconception of the logistics industry.

“Some businesses may be under-prepared. However, we currently have 99pc clarity as to what will be required in order to cross. By the time we get to January all operators will have 100pc clarity."

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove warned of major disruption on Kent roads earlier this week.

In a letter to operators he said that between 30pc and 50pc of trucks crossing the Channel will not be ready for new EU border requirements under a “reasonable worst-case scenario”.

That could lead to queues of 7,000 port-bound lorries in Kent waiting for up to two days to cross the Channel, a Cabinet Office document said.

Mr Gove went on to tell the Commons that truck drivers will need a permit to enter Kent.

Elizabeth de Jong, a policy director at trade body Logistics UK, said earlier this week that there is still time to prevent lengthy queuing.

However, she added: “It will be a huge challenge for the Government and industry to achieve. The ability of traders to complete and provide the correct paperwork will be key to ensuring the continued smooth passage of goods through the UK’s supply chain.”

Mr Baxter said: “I just don’t understand why anyone would send a truck to the port without the necessary documentation.

“Will some operators get it wrong with their first load? Maybe. But will they then make the same mistakes over and over again. I very much doubt it.

“If you travel to a country, where you need a visa, would you go to the airport without a visa? Even if you made a mistake, you wouldn’t keep coming back to the airport, day after day, week after week without one? 

“Our industry is run on tight margins, and operators aren’t stupid. So I just don’t believe that that is what will happen in reality.”