UK ports could experience major disruption in case a no-deal Brexit takes place, MPs warned. Specifically, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) believes that UK’s preparations for preventing disruption from occurring at UK’s major ports are under-developed.
Namely, the UK is to exit the EU on March 29th 2019. After the draft agreement regarding UK’s exit from the EU, Maritime UK welcomed this development. Maritime UK supports the UK remaining in the Customs Union during the transition period.
On the one hand, members from the Committee supported that the Department of Transport will not be able to handle a Brexit, according to BBC. On the other hand, the DFT later stated that the committee’s results were not accurate. DFT continued that that PAC didn’t manage to present the correct evidence in the National Audit Office’s report, concerning its attempts to prepare and achieve a deal.
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Moreover, PAC is responsible for carefully examining in informing the government for the delivery of public services and the win-win situation on public spending. PAC published a number of reports examining various government departments’ preparations for Brexit highlighting its concerns whether the government is prepared.
According to BBC, Meg Hillier, Committee chairwoman, pointed out that the DfT plays a crucial role in making sure that the UK is well-prepared for the Brexit because the future of rail, road, maritime and air access to Europe remains uncertain. She continued stating that there is no deal yet and plans concerning major ports and their efficient operation are under-developed.
The DfT aims to launch the ‘Project Brock’ which focuses on dealing with lorry queues on roads. Also, the project involves managing coast-bound lorries on the M20 so that any traffic congestion will not affect the port. Ms Hillier said the DfT planned to spend £30-£35m on Project Brock but hasn’t conducted any testing yet.
PAC stated that although it understands the difficulties the DfT faces, it should be open and prepared for all Brexit scenarios and also cooperate with business and stakeholders to help them prepaire for what the future brings.
Finally, the EU has published the political declaration which describes the future relationship between the European Union and the UK. The declaration describes the rules that will surround maritime transport and trade, among others. The declaration supports that the future relationship should enable cooperation on maritime safety and security, including exchange of information between EMSA and the UK MCA.
