Border operations centre is set up in bid to avoid Customs chaos after Brexit

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Border operations centre is set up in bid to avoid Customs chaos after Brexit

  • Ministers are braced for border disruption that could last months after Brexit
  • State-of-the-art 24/7 facility will be used to gather information on flow of goods
  • The centre will help the Government and local police to make rapid decisions

By John Stevens Deputy Political Editor For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

A border operations centre has been set up to monitor the flow of goods and travellers in and out of the country.

With just one month to go until the end of the Brexit transition period, the Government is urging businesses to make preparations to avoid chaos.

Ministers are braced for border disruption that could last months as the country leaves the single market and customs union.

The state-of-the-art 24/7 facility will be used to gather live information on the flow across the border and help the Government and local police to make rapid decisions to ensure any problems are minimised.

A border operations centre has been set up to monitor the flow of goods and travellers in and out of the country

Regardless of whether there is a post-Brexit trade deal, French authorities will impose full EU customs and controlled goods checks on all goods arriving from Britain from January 1.

Ministers fear the checks could lead to queues on this side of the Channel, with the possibility of up to 7,000 lorries waiting for two days in tailbacks.  

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said last night: ‘At the end of year we will take back control of our borders and that’s why we have set up the new Border Operations Centre to monitor and analyse flows of goods and people into the UK in real time.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said last night: 'At the end of year we will take back control of our borders and that's why we have set up the new Border Operations Centre to monitor and analyse flows of goods and people into the UK in real time'

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said last night: ‘At the end of year we will take back control of our borders and that’s why we have set up the new Border Operations Centre to monitor and analyse flows of goods and people into the UK in real time’

‘This will help us tackle challenges quickly and decisively, and give us increased information which will make us safer and more secure.’

He added: ‘Regardless of the outcome of our negotiations with the EU, there are guaranteed changes that businesses must prepare for now. There is no time to lose.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: ‘Our fresh start outside of the EU single market and customs union is just on the horizon.

‘As we enter the home stretch, businesses must make sure they are fully prepared for the new rules and opportunities that being an independent trading nation will bring.

‘Amongst all our proactive work with business, I have written to nearly five million firms across the UK outlining the top actions they need to take, and reminding them that the Government is here to support them as the transition period ends.’