Brexit: No-deal lorry test ‘enough to make one weep’, says former Tory chairman

‘The idea that creating a fake traffic jam will show the EU we are ready for a no deal is just plain stupid’

A government-funded exercise being carried out to test the resilience of the transport network under a no-deal Brexit is “enough to make one weep”, according to a former Conservative chairman.

The remarks from Lord Patten came as dozens of lorries occupied a disused airfield in Kent in a “live test” of how ministers plan to ease congestion on roads to the Channel port if Britain leaves the bloc without a deal.

Critics seized on the trial as a “taxpayer funded farce”, adding: “The idea that creating a fake traffic jam will show the EU we are ready for a no deal is just plain stupid.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that 89 vehicles are involved in the exercise with each being paid £550 – amounting to £48,950.

In a letter last week to lorry companies requesting 100-150 vehicles for the test, the DfT and Kent County Council said they were “ensuring there is an effective plan in place should there be any disruption once the UK has left the EU.

“The use of Manston airfield as a HGV holding facility is one of the traffic measurements as part of the current draft plan to alleviate congestion on Kent roads in the event of any disruption at the border.”

The letter added the practice would take place during the morning rush hour at 8am and again at 11am to “establish the safest optimum release of HGVs” from the airfield to Dover along the A256.

It forms part of the Operation Brock plan to hold lorries in certain areas in the event of anticipated border disruption should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

But Lord Patten, who told Radio 4’s Today programme that the Commons must reject as “snake oil” the option of a “managed no deal”, said the test being carried out at the airfield was “enough to make one weep”.

And the Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, a support of the pro-EU group Best for Britain, said: “This is a taxpayer-funded farce. No deal doesn’t need to be a real prospect but the government are just throwing money down the drain for effect.

(PA (PA)

“Chris Grayling and his department have spent tens of thousands to create the spectacle of vehicles in a traffic jam to get into a disused airport, who then wait on the site for the green light to then create a traffic jam by snaking their way ... in convoy, to Dover.

“The idea that creating a fake traffic jam will show the EU we are ready for no deal is just plain stupid. On days like this you have to think the UK has made a wrong turn somewhere.”

A DfT spokeswoman said: “We do not want or expect a no-deal scenario and continue to work hard to deliver a deal with the EU.

“However, it is the duty of a responsible Government to continue to prepare for all eventualities and contingencies, including a possible no deal.

“We will be testing part of Operation Brock to ensure that, if it needs to be implemented, the system is fully functional.”