Britain has named the 16 ports across England which will receive a share of GBP10m (US$12.3m) as the UK prepares to exit the European Union (EU) on 31 October.
The Department for Transport (DfT) asked several maritime bases to bid for a share of the GBP10m Port Infrastructure Resilience and Connectivity (PIRC) competition, which offers facilities up to GBP1m each to deliver infrastructure upgrades enhancing capacity and maintaining trade flow.
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This could include creating more space for HGV parking and container storage, as well as improving access for vehicles to help keep traffic and trade flowing smoothly across the border.
The fund comes as part of a GBP30m government scheme, announced last month, to bolster ports across England and ensure they continue to operate efficiently post-Brexit.
“Our maritime ports are fundamental not only to our success as a global trading nation but also to people’s everyday lives, bringing vital goods into the country,” said Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps.
“This investment will support ports across the country in their work to boost capacity and efficiency, ensuring they’re ready for Brexit and a successful future.”
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By GlobalDataAlongside the GBP10m PIRC fund, the DfT has provided GBP5m to Local Resilience Forums (LRF) – partnerships made up of representatives from local public services including those in emergency – in areas with key freight ports to help them build infrastructure improvements.
A further GBP15m will go towards the development of longer-term projects to boost road and rail links to ports.
This includes a proposal to enhance the Trans-Pennine gauge, allowing for the transportation of freight using multiple types of transport, which will connect East Coast ports with markets in Greater Manchester and the wider North West.
Also included is development work for upgrading road access to Dover, Felixstowe and Southampton ports.
The GBP30m funding comes as part of a GBP2.1bn government investment to step up the UK’s preparations for leaving the EU.
Successful bidders for the PIRC competition are:
- East Anglia
- Felixstowe
- Harwich
- South Coast
- Southampton
- Portsmouth International
- Plymouth
- Poole
- Newhaven
- North East
- Immingham
- Hull
- Teesport
- North West
- Heysham
- Liverpool
- West
- Bristol
- South East
- Sheerness
- London Gateway
- Dover
Although the British government is not saying so, this money might equally help deal with any potential fall-out arising from a no-deal Brexit, which could see initial logjams at ports as transport operators adapt to the new customs situation.
The political backdrop to the UK’s exit remains fluid with uncertainty remaining as to whether Britain exits with a deal or not.
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.
