This is a crisis for supply chains just 11 days before the shock of Brexit. The French ban applies to inbound freight but many European drivers won’t head to the UK if they can’t immediately make the return trip. The next 48 hrs could be a preview of what’s coming in two weeks.
https://twitter.com/paulbranditv/status/1340737253182763012
Ian Wright, @Foodanddrinkfed CEO: “Tonight’s suspension of accompanied freight traffic from the UK to France has the potential to cause serious disruption to UK Christmas fresh food supplies... Truckers will not want to travel here if they have a real fear of getting marooned.”
Statement from @LogisticsUKNews: “Shoppers should not panic buy – retailers will be making every effort to ensure there is stock within the system... We are maintaining close contact with HMG to ensure that supplies of fresh produce are available throughout Xmas & the New Year.” 
A UK government spokesperson: “We are expecting significant disruption in Kent... We are urging everybody - including all hauliers - to avoid travelling to Kent ports until further notice”
HMG is telling hauliers to 1. avoid *all* RoRo routes to France 2. delay/reroute shipments
HMG is telling hauliers to 1. avoid *all* RoRo routes to France 2. delay/reroute shipments
Clearly the bar has been raised somewhat this year but a UK government telling people to not cross the English Channel is an absolutely extraordinary statement
The @LogisticsUKNews statement says it is “very concerned” about driver welfare. HGV drivers in the UK who planned to return to Europe are stranded - where will they spend the next few nights? Empty hotels? And what about the traffic tomorrow AM? Ashford’s lorry park isn’t ready.
Polls this summer showed support for extending transition to focus on Covid. I bet it’s significantly higher now. The legal deadline for it is long gone but a standstill of some sort is possible with political will. Doubt many Brits will tonight be fretting over election slogans.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tells #r4today that the government expects the freight ban to affect around 6,000 lorries today, around 20% of total expected crossings
He says that whether there are shortages as a result "depends on how long things go on"
He says that whether there are shortages as a result "depends on how long things go on"
The clear message from business to the public this morning is don't panic buy
"Retailers have stocked up on goods ahead of Xmas which should prevent immediate problems," says the British Retail Consortium's Andrew Opie
The situation could change if the ban well exceeds 48 hrs
"Retailers have stocked up on goods ahead of Xmas which should prevent immediate problems," says the British Retail Consortium's Andrew Opie
The situation could change if the ban well exceeds 48 hrs
Stena Line is adding an extra ship to its Ireland to France route from tomorrow to respond to exploding demand from exporters trying to reach the EU, says spokesperson Simon Palmer
HMG last night told hauliers to avoid Kent ports and reroute shipments businessinsider.com/uk-border-chao…
HMG last night told hauliers to avoid Kent ports and reroute shipments businessinsider.com/uk-border-chao…
Lorry drivers stuck in the UK as a result of the freight ban have received "welfare provision" including toilet facilities and food & drink, Boris Johnson's spokesperson says
The Road Haulage Association's Richard Burnett urges Brits not to panic buy, warning that it'll create "unnecessary shortages in Jan when some goods could already be harder to come by"
He says retailers built up more stock than usual to prepare for Brexit and can use it for Xmas
He says retailers built up more stock than usual to prepare for Brexit and can use it for Xmas
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