Stack on STEROIDS: Brexiteer warns 'TROUBLESOME' French to HALT all traffic after Brexit

Tory Brexiteer Craig Mackinlay suggested the “troublesome” French authorities could cause massive traffic jams throughout Europe if they decided to impose strict checks on British lorries after Brexit.

British experts have warned that a no deal Brexit could result in queues stretching from the Channel Tunnel between Dover and Calais all the way to Brussels, with Labour MP Yvette Cooper suggesting that failing to prepare for the risks could trigger “Operation Stack on steroids” in the UK.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk Mr Mackinlay appeared upbeat about the warnings, saying the only cause behind potentially endless gridlocks would be France deciding to “be difficult.”

The South Thanet MP said: “If there is a blockage, I don’t think the blockage will be coming into the UK because what are we going to block? The only blockage you could potentially foresee would be the troublesome French, perhaps, saying ‘well, we’re going to be difficult.’

“But the reality would be the freight network of the whole of the EU would come to a grinding halt. The German producer would be moaning to his local MP, who’ll be moaning to the German Government, who’ll be complaining to the Commission who will be putting pressure on the French to actually play the game and get Europe back up and running.”

Road Haulage Association (RHA) boss Richard Burnett warned the French Government could seek to impose extensive checks on lorries entering the continent from the UK at Calais forcing Britain to struggle with the traffic tailback in Kent.

Mr Burnett said: “The issue is, if we are out of the customs union – and the French are not indicating exactly what they’re going to do – but we think the likelihood is that they will apply a customs process in Calais in which case we are going to have tailback back into Kent and beyond because of the blockage in France.”

Operation Stack is a system created to maintain smooth traffic during Eurotunnel or ferry disruptions in Kent by way of converting a stretch of the M20 into a parking lot for lorries while local traffic is diverted on alternative routes. Over the summer of 2015, Kent was overcome with 30 miles of lorries parked on the M20 as they queued to reach Dover at a cost of £250 million for the UK. 

The British Government has this year announced plans to replace Stack with Operation Brock, a plan that would introduce a contraflow system to avoid disruption in the aftermath of Brexit. Kent Council has been informed Brock would only be temporary and permanent plans might not be finalised until 2023. 

The Council commented saying the uncertainty is “not only frustrating but potentially damaging to the UK economy as well as disrupting the daily life of Kent residents and visitors”.

Maritime UK chairman David Dingle also warned that failing to secure an agreement could have repercussions on traffic flows in Britain and Europe.

Speaking to Express.co.uk in March, Mr Dingle called on the Government to find a solution that would not require lorries to stop or prepare to face “chaos.”

He said: “The best thing to do is find a solution where we can use existing infrastructure and lorries don’t have to stop because there would be chaos here and there would be reciprocal chaos across the Channel.

“The port of Zeebrugge claimed traffic jams could stretch all the way back to Brussels. It would be absolutely crazy. There could, in theory, be a total shambles.”

He added: “If I was a resident of Kent and realised what this particular aspect of Brexit could lead to, I would be wondering why we were doing all this because it would be that bad. Seriously, it would be awful.”

In 2017 the Port of Dover handled 2.6 million lorries, including 1.6 million travelling through the Eurotunnel between Folkestone and Calais. Trade through Dover amounted to 17 percent of all UK trade, contributing £122 billion to the British economy.

Virendra Sharma, Labour MP: “The government is trying to hide the devastating impact of their Brexit policy.

“Food will rot on the motorway and jobs are at risk as manufacturing supply chains are muddled and slowed by Brexit. We cannot let ministers use secrecy to railroad the concerns of councils about Brexit.”

Not everyone appeared to share in the apocalyptic forecasts for British trade and traffic, with Eurotunnel spokesman John Keefe dismissing fearmongering predictions insisting “that scenario is just totally improbable.”

Mr Keefe explained: “I think if there was no trade, if the border shut, then obviously traffic wouldn’t be able to move across it but the interesting thing about the Channel tunnel is that the trade that goes backwards and forwards through it is balanced in each direction.

“If you put it in value term, it’s about €69 billion inbound and €69 billion outbound. That means economies across Europe are selling goods into the UK in large numbers and high value but at a balanced rate with what the UK is selling into those economies on the continent. Nobody can afford to give that up.”

Road minister Jesse Norman insisted the Government’s plans had been designed to avoid “severe disruption” not only to lorries coming and leaving the EU but to local residents and commuters.

Mr Norman said: “We’ve seen the severe disruption that people in Kent had to face in 2015 when there were hold-ups across the Channel.

“This interim plan will help to minimise that disruption and mean people will be able to go about their everyday lives, seeing friends and family or going to work, as well as businesses being able to get to their customers.”

Britons also appeared to share in the feeling of positivity about traffic warnings in Kent. Foreign national Stuart told Express.co.uk: “I think it would just be a temporary thing. We’ll adjust to the new way and if it means going back to the old ways – before we had free movement – then I think it would just be a temporary glitch.”

Julian added: “Everything concerns all of us about Brexit but I think the reality is that over time all of these issues are going to be clarified. Until we really know how these complications are going to be sorted out, I think it’s a bit premature to write off the possibility of a solution.”

Young Londoner Callum however concluded: “It does concern me greatly. A no deal Brexit is a bling Brexit. We’ve had two years to come up with some coherent policies.

“I think it was Winston Churchill who said ‘keep muddling on,’ it just feels like we’re going to keep muddling on until something comes out of thin air. I think to me that shows a really dysfunctional attitude of the Government and the people who are advising them.”