Portsmouth port 'critically important' as it continues freight exports to France while Dover halts travel

AS the port in Dover faces significant disruption over Covid travel restrictions, Portsmouth’s port carries on exporting freight – and it’s importance should be recognised by the government, says the leader of the city council.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 21st Dec 2020, 14:43 BST
Updated 21st Dec 2020, 18:02 BST
Portsmouth port has the ability to allow lorry freight travel unaccompanied, avoiding Covid travel restrictions imposed by France.Portsmouth port has the ability to allow lorry freight travel unaccompanied, avoiding Covid travel restrictions imposed by France.
Portsmouth port has the ability to allow lorry freight travel unaccompanied, avoiding Covid travel restrictions imposed by France.

It comes as the transport secretary has warned that Dover faces ‘significant disruption’ due to France imposing travel restrictions on passengers and accompanied freight from the UK.

But Portsmouth’s port is continuing to export to the continent as it has the ability to separate freight from its lorry, meaning it can carry on its journey unaccompanied.

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The service shows how important the council-run port is to the whole UK economy – and points to ‘a critical point of failure’ in being overly reliant on Dover, according to Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

The freight entrance of the city's port this morning. Picture: Richard Lemmer.The freight entrance of the city's port this morning. Picture: Richard Lemmer.
The freight entrance of the city's port this morning. Picture: Richard Lemmer.
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Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘A lorry is made up of two parts - a trailer and a cab.

‘We have the ability to put the trailer onboard without the cab, which is something they cannot do in Dover.

‘So we are continuing to send lorries across to France, when Dover cannot, which yet again shows how important it is for the UK economy that Portsmouth port is running and successful.

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‘It's very difficult, but we'll keep on working to ensure that UK firms can keep exporting.’

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The port can handle up to 500 lorries a day, and Cllr Vernon-Jackson hopes its capacity will be expanded in the future.

He said: ‘One of the conversations we have had with Grant Shapps has been around the resilience of the UK economy being dependent on just the one crossing with Dover – it is a real critical point of failure.

‘That's why having Portsmouth as a running port is so important.

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‘We can take more ferries. We can manage more, it's just up to the ferry companies.

‘There's hope of doing more sailings on the Spanish routes, and we’re talking to the companies.’

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan visited the port this morning, before attending a briefing by the Department of Transport.

He said: ‘After a weekend of Government chaos, news that routes from across Europe are being closed is deeply worrying.

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‘My priority is making sure any disruption and traffic congestion is avoided in Portsmouth and government sets out a credible plan to reassure the country that essential supplies will be safeguarded.

‘More than ever it is vital during this pandemic that ministers ensure supplies to our NHS, supermarkets and manufacturers with crucial supply chains secure.’

Earlier today, Brittany Ferries announced that the travel restrictions would stop hundreds of passengers from using its services this week.

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Related topics:PortsmouthFranceStephen MorganBrittany Ferries