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Britain has intermodal and bulk handling ports all around its coast, many of them rail connected.
The UK government has issued a veiled warning that it expects disruption at the busy English Channel ports in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit transition period ending on 31 December. Politicians in London have advised pharmaceutical companies to build up a six week stockpile of essential medical supplies, to safeguard against problems importing after arrangements with the EU come to an end. Rail freight operators are already preparing for consignments to be transhipped at alternative ports elsewhere around the UK.
Brexit has not gone away. The coronavirus crisis may be monopolising the headlines, but the UK decision to leave the EU is still on the agenda. Although technically already out of the EU, the transition period runs until the end of this year. As yet, a definitive trade deal between the UK and EU still seems a long way off, and there is mounting concern that a ‘no deal’ scenario will come to pass as 2021 dawns.
Co-ordinated approach
Immediate implementation of unfamiliar new customs arrangements will, say the UK government, make delays inevitable. The guidance for medical supplies has come amidst fears that the coronavirus pandemic could flare up again in the winter, precisely at the time of transition.
“To build upon past work and ensure a co-ordinated approach, we will be asking suppliers to confirm their contingency plans”, says the UK Department of Health. In a letter to industry, the government department has asked suppliers to avoid the busy Channel ports, particularly Dover and Folkestone.
Plans for Shuttle services
There are already plans made by the local authorities in the South East county of Kent, to prioritise part of the motorway network for Channel trucks. The arrangements call for a fifteen-mile (24 km) stretch of the motorway to Dover to be segregated to handle traffic backed up en route to the freight shuttle and ferry services.
Rail Shuttle services, and direct freight through the Channel Tunnel have been operating without incident since the pandemic struck. Revised working practices have been in place for several months, and there have been no reports of disruptions resulting. Read more
Source: RAILFREIGHT.COM
