The British Ports Association (BPA) has welcomed the Government’s announcements on new Brexit borders funding to cover infrastructure, systems and staffing.
In a statement, the BPA said the $888.4 million (£705 million) fund included “helpful measures” designed to ease border requirements due to come into force in 2021.
These include plans to build borders facilities at ports where infrastructure can be built on site, as well as for Government to build inland infrastructure sites, where ports do not have the space.
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The BPA, which represents a wide variety of UK port operators, said it had been asking for funding to facilitate smooth trade after Britain leaves the European Union.
“We are particularly grateful that the Government has listened and agreed to our requests to pay for new infrastructure both at ports and at inland sites,” said Richard Ballantyne, CEO, BPA.
“We look forward to reviewing the detail but this is an important first step to help limit the impacts of Britain’s departure from the EU.
“Borders infrastructure of course means there will be some impact on freight and potentially flows of traffic. We therefore pressing for the pragmatic enforcement of such processes so that trucks and cargo are not held up at our ports.
“Of course there is still a huge amount to prepare for and operators across the freight and logistics sectors will need to understand what will be required and what this will mean for their businesses.”
