Government needs to do more to prepare firms for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, says RHA

Road Haulage Association Chief Executive, Richard Burnett has urged the government to do more to prepare industry for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

Following a meeting with Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay MP, Mr Burnett has set out a series of measures which he says would ensure high volumes of goods could continue flowing across UK-EU borders if customs controls are introduced on 31 October.

He called on the government to:

• Produce clear guidance on how the whole end-to-end journey will operate;
• Open and authorise new and substantial customs facilities for transit;
• Introduce consolidated and simplified import safety & security declaration system;
• Launch online customs training for traders;
• Make lorry holding facilities such as Operation Brock fit for purpose;
• Abolish the 22% tariff on new trucks.

He said that businesses moving goods across borders still don’t know what they’re required to do if there’s a ‘no-deal’ Brexit amid predictions that there will be huge backlogs at ports.

A permanent 12-hour delay for the 10,000 trucks that use the Dover Strait each day would cost £2.2 billion per year in each direction in lorry operating costs alone.

He pointed out that the 22 percent tariff on new trucks from the EU would make it beyond the reach of the average operator as they face daily charges of up to £100 to enter clean air zones with non-Euro VI trucks.

For more information visit www.rha.uk.net

8th July 2019