The UK government issued a statement confirming its £200 million investment in the Port Infrastructure Fund as part of its push to “preparation for the end of the transition period” of new facilities along the coast, designed to “handle new tariff requirements under the new border business model,” proposed in July.
Since it targets ports that already have “space to build new border infrastructure at current sites,” the funds will be directed towards “areas from warehouses to warehouses and control posts to traffic management systems” and towards inland customs facilities in areas that are not suitable for additional port infrastructure.
The UK government said in a statement on its website that new port facilities will be needed regardless of the outcome of ongoing Brexit negotiations with the European Union.
“As the UK leaves the Customs Union and the Single Market and new procedures are in place, new infrastructure at the port will be needed, regardless of whether the UK secures negotiation agreements with the EU.”
The post-Brexit fund will begin construction “for the end of the year” and see it “gives industry confidence that all the necessary infrastructure will be delivered on time.”
Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, welcomed the government’s announcement on Friday.
“Our port is a point of pride for the UK, contributing to its success as a global trading nation and helping to bring important goods to the country every day. This investment not only ensures that the border is fully operational at the end of the transition period, but also supports the UK’s amazing business when trading across Europe.”
Tim Morris of the UK’s Major Port Group, the UK’s largest industry association for port operators, added:
“Today’s announcement is a welcome step to maximize (port) capacity and ensure that the UK supply chain is more resilient. Time is short and it is important that UK businesses prepare for new border arrangements. We will urgently work with the government on very important details and related regulations.”
Last month, the government’s reasonable worst-case scenario (RWCS) forecast revealed that 40-70% of trucks traveling to the EU were involved with 40-70% of trucks “not ready for new border control” and warned that they “lack of ability to hold unprepared vehicles in France or that they could eliminate cargo before boarding in the UK, with a maximum delay of up to two days.”
As the outcome of Brexit negotiations remains unknown, the fund is a welcome relief to ensure that at least cross-border trade along the coast is processed as efficiently as possible, regardless of the outcome of the consultation.
