No Deal Brexit Rehearsal

Today the Government sent 89 trucks to Manston Airfield, Kent to test what the situation at the border could be like in the event of a No Deal Brexit.These trucks were to test the congestion caused should the Airfield be converted to a HGV holding bay in a bid to ease congestion on roads to Dover in the event the UK leaves the EU without an agreement.The rehearsal, dubbed Operation Brock, has received a mixed response with the exercise being called “too little too late” by the Road Haulage Association as only 89 trucks participated in the contingency plan designed for 6,000.Whilst the journey went smoothly for the lorries today some parties, drivers included, have reiterated that this is not a true picture of what it would be like should we leave the EU without a deal. People who work along the A256 where the practice took place advised that local drivers had avoided the route as they were aware of the practice.The Department of Transport have stated that they are taking the exercise seriously and intend to learn from today to ensure that we are in the best possible position should we leave the EU without a deal - "However, it is the duty of a responsible government to continue to prepare for all eventualities and contingencies, including a possible no deal.”Sources:https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/07/no-deal-brexit-rehearsal-tests-traffic-congestion-in-kenthttps://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-lorries/uk-stages-mass-truck-trip-to-dover-to-war-game-no-deal-brexit-idUKKCN1P10NXhttps://news.sky.com/story/no-deal-brexit-rehearsal-150-lorries-to-test-traffic-around-dover-11599103https://news.sky.com/story/more-than-100-lorries-rehearse-for-no-deal-brexit-dover-congestion-11600853https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/lorries-descend-on-disused-airfield-for-no-deal-brexit-rehearsal-1.3749905