{"id":23619,"date":"2020-09-14T09:25:05","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T08:25:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=23619"},"modified":"2020-09-14T09:25:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T08:25:05","slug":"chaos-and-confusion-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=23619","title":{"rendered":"\u00e2\u20ac\u0098Chaos and confusion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UK ports will be plunged into \u00e2\u20ac\u0098chaos and confusion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in the new year unless decisive government action is taken over incomplete IT systems to deal with post-Brexit customs \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and \u00e2\u20ac\u0098eleventh-hour\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 plans to build up to 29 lorry parks across the country to handle subsequent delays, Unite warned today (Monday September 14).<\/p>\n

Computerised post-Brexit customs systems are still under development, with drivers, unions and industry fearing that the complex software will not be ready by the time the UK\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s transition phase with the EU ends on  December 31, 2020, particularly in light of repeated delays to the government’s coronavirus contract tracing app<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition, the vast majority of the lorry parks, which do not need local authority planning permission and will be used to check documentation is in order and control traffic-flow into ports, are still to be built.<\/p>\n

While a list of councils (some of them miles away from the coast) that will house the lorry parks has been released, the specific locations of many of the sites have yet to be disclosed to affected local authorities and residents.<\/p>\n

Unite also said it was \u00e2\u20ac\u0098completely unacceptable\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 that lorry drivers, who are not responsible for preparing customs declarations for their loads, face being personally liable for \u00c2\u0141300 fines if they are found to be travelling through Kent to the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel in Folkestone without the correct electronic documentation.<\/p>\n

It is feared that similar measures could be considered in other parts of the UK if congestion around ports becomes severe.<\/p>\n

The union urged the government to meet with its HGV driver members, who keep the country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vital supply lines operating, and act on \u00e2\u20ac\u0098their very real concerns\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bHGV drivers know that the government\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s as yet incomplete post-Brexit customs system and the eleventh-hour preparations for lorry parks needed to handle expected border delays will result in chaos and confusion,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 commented Unite national officer Adrian Jones.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis government\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s record on delivering computerised systems is beyond a joke so it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no wonder that our members are concerned that the system will not only be a last-minute fix but may not even be fit for purpose.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWith less than four months to go, the locations of the vast majority of the lorry parks have still not been announced, let alone built. Local authorities across the country are in the dark and warning about the potential impact on traffic flow and local business and services \u00e2\u20ac\u201c concerns which are shared by our members.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0098Smelly porta-loos, some outdoor sinks and a burger van will not suffice\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bDrivers are also facing the increasing likelihood of being stuck in their cabs for hours and hours on end in ad-hoc lorry parks without adequate access to clean toilets, washing, food or rest facilities. Smelly porta-loos, some outdoor sinks and a burger van will not suffice.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bGiven that employers, customs agents and drivers will have to familiarise themselves with complex new border arrangements, it is completely unacceptable that lorry drivers, who are not responsible for arranging customs declarations, could face personal fines of up to \u00c2\u0141300 for not having the correct electronic documentation while driving in Kent.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bOn the current trajectory, we could see the country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s major trading points slow to crawl; causing gridlock, damaging the economy and inflicting misery and stress on lorry drivers and local communities alike.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAs a priority, our members need government guarantees that they will not be left stranded with inadequate facilities on giant lorry parks or be unfairly fined for documentation issues that are out of their hands. We urge the government to meet with our members, who keep this country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shelves filled and factories stocked, and act on the very real concerns they have.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWith just weeks to go before the end of the transition period the government must provide clarity and work with local authorities, industry and trade unions to minimise disruption.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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FIND OUT IF YOUR COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO HOUSE BREXIT LORRY PARK <\/strong><\/p>\n