UK Border Force is being called on to vacate a temporary border control post at Ashford International Truck Stop & move to a permanent location as soon as possible.Private customs brokers claim “poorly trained” Border Force officers are unable to effectively carry out their role
causing truck congestion.
One source noted that because trucks waiting for paperwork to be finalised by Border Force are charged after two hours , drivers are looking for other nearby areas to park, including space reserved for private customs agency clients.
One source noted that because trucks waiting for paperwork to be finalised by Border Force are charged after two hours , drivers are looking for other nearby areas to park, including space reserved for private customs agency clients.
“This means our clients can’t get in to be served and are finding themselves turned away by police. In one instance a driver had to take an *80-mile round trip*,” the source said. “I do not blame the drivers, it is as frustrating for them as it is for us, because they have
nowhere else to go and they have no facilities – they’re finding places to wash and use the loo, including *squatting by the side of the road*.“
This is the result of government not being ready, the permanent border inspection post had not been completed on time.
This is the result of government not being ready, the permanent border inspection post had not been completed on time.
The French & Dutch were ready, why not the UK?”
The Secretary of State for Housing Communities struck a "deal" with the temporary site’s owner, GSE Truckstop Developments, to lease the space until 31 October, after it became apparent a permanent control post would not be ready
The Secretary of State for Housing Communities struck a "deal" with the temporary site’s owner, GSE Truckstop Developments, to lease the space until 31 October, after it became apparent a permanent control post would not be ready
A spokesperson for GSE told The Loadstar the agreement was subject to a 30-day notice period, with no plans in place for renewal.
The source told The Loadstar the operation at the site was a “comedy of errors”, creating congestion and leading some drivers to suggest that
The source told The Loadstar the operation at the site was a “comedy of errors”, creating congestion and leading some drivers to suggest that
“crossing the iron curtain” would be easier.
“The Border Force operation they have is being staffed by newbies who don’t know what they’re doing – not through any fault of their own – and are having to be trained on the job, causing logjams, meaning nothing is getting through
“The Border Force operation they have is being staffed by newbies who don’t know what they’re doing – not through any fault of their own – and are having to be trained on the job, causing logjams, meaning nothing is getting through
– even the signs are wrong.”
A dedicated truck stop, the site at Ashford provides space to park 630 trucks and facilities for drivers for overnight stops, or while they wait for paperwork to be completed.
The source said if the space was released to that previous function,
A dedicated truck stop, the site at Ashford provides space to park 630 trucks and facilities for drivers for overnight stops, or while they wait for paperwork to be completed.
The source said if the space was released to that previous function,
it will clear space for agents to operate effectively and take on more of the HGVs that are struggling to clear their exports”.“More importantly, the extra capacity will enable hauliers that are currently
*staying away from the UK* to start shipping with increased confidence.”
*staying away from the UK* to start shipping with increased confidence.”
Fears are now growing that Border Force, expected to have its permanent facility up and running next month, will ‘mothball’ the Ashford International Truck Stop site for rest of the lease, in case it needs the space again.
The source said: “What we’ll be left with is a
The source said: “What we’ll be left with is a
mothballed site possibly costing the taxpayer £5m a year, and a border inspection system that continues to struggle – *it’s a national embarrassment*.”
Full Report
theloadstar.com/border-control…
Full Report
theloadstar.com/border-control…
and we haven't really started on the import (ICD/SPS site) issues yet
(apart from, of course, the HMRC official 6 months "border facilitation" free-for-all smugglers' charter)
..that will wind up around 1/4 and especially around 1/7...if we get that far 😳
(apart from, of course, the HMRC official 6 months "border facilitation" free-for-all smugglers' charter)
..that will wind up around 1/4 and especially around 1/7...if we get that far 😳
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