New Kent County Council Brexit preparedness report is grim: "Since August 2018, the planning scenario proposed by Government has increased from three to six months of disruption, although the rationale for this has not been provided by Government."
democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s881…
democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s881…
(This seems to be characteristic of the Government's wider approach to Brexit, basically sharing the least possible information they can get away with, with gritted teeth. And the widespread use of NDAs to gag businesses involved in no-deal preparations is deservedly notorious.)
A few more juicy snippets (I really recommend reading the whole thing).
" It has been forecast that, in a no-deal Brexit scenario, Kent will need to cope with holding up to 10,000 HGVs on a routine basis."
[That's thousands more than during any previous period of disruption.]
" It has been forecast that, in a no-deal Brexit scenario, Kent will need to cope with holding up to 10,000 HGVs on a routine basis."
[That's thousands more than during any previous period of disruption.]
"Kent is dependent on, and awaiting details of, the Government’s ‘National
Freight Plan’ (Brock Stage 5) – including plans for priority passenger freight,
and the ‘National Ports Strategy."
[Sounds like mobilising for war. In a sense we are: economic war, waged on ourselves.]
Freight Plan’ (Brock Stage 5) – including plans for priority passenger freight,
and the ‘National Ports Strategy."
[Sounds like mobilising for war. In a sense we are: economic war, waged on ourselves.]
"To undertake analysis KSS use chemicals and consumables manufactured, or
part-manufactured, in the EU. A no-deal scenario could disrupt their supply
chain for border control work, and conversely the food supply chain"
[Hmm... Disrupted food supply chain. Sounds bad. Is bad.]
part-manufactured, in the EU. A no-deal scenario could disrupt their supply
chain for border control work, and conversely the food supply chain"
[Hmm... Disrupted food supply chain. Sounds bad. Is bad.]
"KCC has been advised that the Government are making contingency
arrangements for priority freight movements including livestock"
[Welcome to a future in which certain freight gets whisked through while other freight languishes a queue, as determined by pen-pushing bureaucrats.]
arrangements for priority freight movements including livestock"
[Welcome to a future in which certain freight gets whisked through while other freight languishes a queue, as determined by pen-pushing bureaucrats.]
"There will be an increased preparedness for staff across KCC to work from home where possible in the initial three to six-month period following 29 March 2019."
[Go home. Just go home. We'll call you if the situation ever normalises again. Don't wait by the phone.]
[Go home. Just go home. We'll call you if the situation ever normalises again. Don't wait by the phone.]
"District and borough collection services may be delayed and disrupted if there is significant traffic congestion, which could lead to a build up of waste awaiting collection."
[Brexit is literally as well as metaphorically rubbish.]
[Brexit is literally as well as metaphorically rubbish.]
IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not mocking KCC for their preparations. It's good to see them taking Brexit seriously. Huge contrast to central Government, as MPs seem more interested in mud-slinging than planning. But the Brexit situation itself begs for gallows humour to keep from crying.
