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UK to spend £103m on no-deal ferries | |
(3 days later) | |
The UK will spend more than £100m chartering extra ferries to ease "severe congestion" at Dover, in the case of a no-deal Brexit. | The UK will spend more than £100m chartering extra ferries to ease "severe congestion" at Dover, in the case of a no-deal Brexit. |
Over the last few months, additional ferry contracts were awarded to French, Danish and British companies. | Over the last few months, additional ferry contracts were awarded to French, Danish and British companies. |
The contingency plans allow for almost 4,000 more lorries a week to come and go from other ports, including Plymouth, Poole, and Portsmouth. | The contingency plans allow for almost 4,000 more lorries a week to come and go from other ports, including Plymouth, Poole, and Portsmouth. |
The UK Chamber of Shipping said customs procedures were a bigger problem. | The UK Chamber of Shipping said customs procedures were a bigger problem. |
Chief executive Bob Sanguinetti said: "Government is rightly preparing for every eventuality... but it is not clear that government-chartered ships can move goods faster or more efficiently than the private sector." | Chief executive Bob Sanguinetti said: "Government is rightly preparing for every eventuality... but it is not clear that government-chartered ships can move goods faster or more efficiently than the private sector." |
"Those goods will still need to go through the same customs procedures in ports - which is where the real problems would be." | "Those goods will still need to go through the same customs procedures in ports - which is where the real problems would be." |
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the awards were "a small but important element" of its no-deal planning. | The Department for Transport (DfT) said the awards were "a small but important element" of its no-deal planning. |
'Extreme urgency' | 'Extreme urgency' |
In documents outlining the agreements, the DfT states that an "unforeseeable" situation of "extreme urgency" meant there was no time for the contracts to be put out to tender - the standard practice for public procurements. | In documents outlining the agreements, the DfT states that an "unforeseeable" situation of "extreme urgency" meant there was no time for the contracts to be put out to tender - the standard practice for public procurements. |
However, the BBC understands that a number of firms were considered and there was a private negotiation process. | However, the BBC understands that a number of firms were considered and there was a private negotiation process. |
The department also states that increased border checks by EU countries in the case of a no-deal Brexit could "cause delivery of critical goods to be delayed", and "significant wider disruption to the UK economy and to the road network in Kent". | The department also states that increased border checks by EU countries in the case of a no-deal Brexit could "cause delivery of critical goods to be delayed", and "significant wider disruption to the UK economy and to the road network in Kent". |
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable called the move "complete madness". | Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable called the move "complete madness". |
"The government has the power to stop "no deal" at any time but instead is spending millions on last minute contracts," he said. | "The government has the power to stop "no deal" at any time but instead is spending millions on last minute contracts," he said. |
"The fact that this money is predominantly going to European companies is nothing short of ironic, reducing Britain to a laughing stock on the global stage." | "The fact that this money is predominantly going to European companies is nothing short of ironic, reducing Britain to a laughing stock on the global stage." |
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DfT said the contracts would provide "significant extra capacity" to UK ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but stressed that the government remained committed to reaching a deal with the EU. | In a statement, a spokesperson for the DfT said the contracts would provide "significant extra capacity" to UK ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but stressed that the government remained committed to reaching a deal with the EU. |
Three suppliers were awarded a total of £102.9m: | |
All three businesses will expand services on their fleets of "roll-on/roll-off" vessels, designed to carry lorries across the Channel. | All three businesses will expand services on their fleets of "roll-on/roll-off" vessels, designed to carry lorries across the Channel. |
The additional crossings - equivalent to about 10% of existing traffic across the Dover strait - will provide up to half a million tonnes a month in extra capacity. | The additional crossings - equivalent to about 10% of existing traffic across the Dover strait - will provide up to half a million tonnes a month in extra capacity. |
Lorries diverted to other ports may be expected to pay the standard rate for their altered journeys. | Lorries diverted to other ports may be expected to pay the standard rate for their altered journeys. |
The BBC understands that the three firms chosen will retain a portion of their award even if their services are no longer needed, due to a deal being reached with Brussels. | The BBC understands that the three firms chosen will retain a portion of their award even if their services are no longer needed, due to a deal being reached with Brussels. |
However, in that event, the government would then seek to sell the extra capacity back to the market. | However, in that event, the government would then seek to sell the extra capacity back to the market. |
Brittany Ferries told the BBC it was contracted to add 19 weekly return sailings to three of its routes: Roscoff to Plymouth, Cherbourg to Poole and Le Havre to Portsmouth - a 50% increase on its current schedule. | Brittany Ferries told the BBC it was contracted to add 19 weekly return sailings to three of its routes: Roscoff to Plymouth, Cherbourg to Poole and Le Havre to Portsmouth - a 50% increase on its current schedule. |
The other firms are understood to be adding services at Immingham and Felixstowe too. | The other firms are understood to be adding services at Immingham and Felixstowe too. |
'Last-minute rush' | 'Last-minute rush' |
Gus Tugendhat, the founder of data firm Tussell, which brought the contracts to the BBC's attention, criticised their late arrival. | Gus Tugendhat, the founder of data firm Tussell, which brought the contracts to the BBC's attention, criticised their late arrival. |
"This provides further evidence of the last-minute rush to implement Brexit no-deal contingency planning," he said. | "This provides further evidence of the last-minute rush to implement Brexit no-deal contingency planning," he said. |
"With time so short, it appears that normal tendering procedures couldn't be followed." | "With time so short, it appears that normal tendering procedures couldn't be followed." |