Britain is to make GBP30m (US$37m) available to upgrade England’s port infrastructure including road and rail links, as the UK approaches its planned European Union exit date of 31 October.
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is asking ports across England to bid for a share of GBP10m, as part of the Port Infrastructure Resilience and Connectivity (PIRC) competition, to help deliver upgrades which will enhance capacity and maintain trade flow.
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The government is also providing GBP5m to four Local Resilience Forums (LRFs); made up of emergency responders, councils and other public services in areas with key freight ports to help minimise any potential traffic disruption at the border.
A further GBP15m will go towards longer-term projects to boost road and rail links.
“We are leaving the EU on 31 October and we will be prepared whatever the circumstances,” said Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps. “As the UK continues to develop as an outward-facing global trading nation ready for a post-Brexit world, the resilience of our trading hubs is more critical than ever before.
“This GBP30m investment supports our ports in their work to boost capacity and efficiency, ensuring they’re ready for Brexit and a successful future.”
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By GlobalDataThe funding comes as part of the government’s GBP2.1bn investment to step-up the country’s preparations for leaving the EU.
The PIRC competition will be open until 6 September, after which successful bidders will be given up to GBP1m each to deliver infrastructure improvements. For example, this may include providing more HGV parking and container storage space or developing traffic systems to ensure the free flow of cars and lorries.
The GBP5m for LRFs is targeted specifically at delivering infrastructure improvements to manage road traffic around maritime ports with important trade routes with the EU.
It comes a week after the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a separate GBP9m scheme for local councils and LRFs to support their overall planning for Brexit in local areas and major air, land or sea ports.
This funding could include supporting the hiring of additional staff or implementing regional communications campaigns.
The DfT says it is continuing to prepare for “all circumstances” after 31 October and has been implementing an information campaign to ensure hauliers have the documents they need to carry goods into the EU.
