First post-Brexit lorry checks take place in Portsmouth

The Brexit transition period came to an end on December 31, with the government negotiating a last-minute deal with the EU last week.

Now, lorries heading out of the city must go through border readiness checks to ensure all paperwork is in order before leaving via Portsmouth International Port.

The first lorry checks took place on New Year’s Day, with freight drivers using Tipner as a triage point.

Hampshire Resilience Forum’s Operation Transmission is designed to stop traffic chaos at the port caused by drivers turning up without the right paperwork.

Hampshire Constabulary assistant chief constable, Maggie Blyth, tweeted: ‘Our local policing teams were helping Hants Roads Policing and many partners at Portsmouth International Port to ensure freight arrives at the port prepared.’

Drivers are urged to familiarise themselves with the new checks and paperwork.

There are few sailings this weekend but demand is expected to return to normal on January 4.

Strategic coordinating group chairman for the forum, Neil Odin, previously said: ‘We have planned for the worst case but, like everyone else, we are hoping for the best case.

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‘As well as the changes for hauliers as a result of leaving the EU, we are faced with a very unique set of circumstances including reduced travel due to Covid-19.

‘There is also the possibility that some will be waiting and see what happens. Demand in the early days is projected to be lower but we expect that will grow with confidence and we need to be ready for that. I would ask people to remain patient whilst that happens.’

Portsmouth International Port requires lorries to book in advance, with the first triage point on the A31 outside Winchester.

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Along the M275 southbound, speed limits have been reduced to 40mph on the motorway and 30mph on slip roads.

Mr Odin, also chief fire officer for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said this wouldn’t be implemented ‘without good reason’ and says decisions were made after months of planning.

Operation Transmission is a temporary measure to help prepare drivers and cut congestion.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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