An MP has put forward a five-point plan to prevent long cross-border delays after Brexit.

It is feared that the resulting border restrictions, with greater frontier checks, could lead to delays in traffic trying to cross the Channel.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke wants to ensure that the Channel Ports are ready on day one of Britain’s departure of the European Union in 2019.

His strategy, now presented to the British government, is:

n Better roads and traffic provision. The Thames Crossing project should be speeded up and the M2/A2 dualled all the way to Dover. The planned M20 lorry park at Stanford, Shepway, should also be delivered on time.

n Seamless handling of customs controls with long queues avoided and technology used to speed processing.

n Extension of the Le Touquet Treaty to cover customs co-operation and generally deeper co-operation with France. The treaty allows Britain and France to have border controls in each others’ countries.

n A Brexit Infastructure Bill. This would be to speed up roadbuilding programmes by tearing through the present long adminstrative processes.

n A single ministry for border responsibilities. Mr Elphicke says that there are too many ministries, quangos and agencies involved which can cause muddle and confusion.

Mr Elphicke has detailed his plans in a new 50-report called Ready on Day One (Meeting the Brexit Borders Challenge).

He explained: “Gridlock at Dover will mean gridlock for the UK economy. Yet with proper planning we can not only be ready on day one we can made Brexit a real success.

“My priority is for a stronger UK and to make sure that Brexit is a success for Dover, Deal and our villages.”

Havoc on Dover’s roads have already been caused before Brexit.

Last July 23 saw Black Saturday when almost the entire town and its entry roads ended in gridlock.

Up to 250,000 motorists suffered delays for as long as 12 hours while the French stepped up their border control security without the staff to match it.

Mr Elphicke’s report has support on both sides of the Channel.

Its foreword is written by Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France region covering Calais and Dunkirk.

He praised the study for its focus in infrastructure and awareness of Brexit’s effects on the futures of the UK’s imediate neighbours, Ireland and northern France.

He says; “We must work together with Dover to make the same choice for investments in digital tools to boost fluidity and fast lanes.”

Tony Smith, former head of Border Force, said: “We need to view the UK Border as an asset not a problem.

"By adopting the recommendations in this report we will be able to say that we truly have a world class border – capable of handling not just the challenges of Brexit but also the increases in volume, risk and complexity that modern day border management demands.”

Richard Christian, head of communications at the Port of Dover, said: “The report is another helpful contribution to the critical issue of efficient trade with our largest and nearest trading partner.

“Fast and efficient pan-European supply chains are key to the nationally critical roles that the Port of Dover, our ferry partners and our partners in France perform on a daily basis.”

Mr Elphicke also wants to keep lorries moving on the roads to and from Dover – so goods can be delivered without gridlock.

A Road Haulage Association spokesman said: “The report highlights the key issues that need to be addressed when trying to create a post-Brexit frictionless border that is essential for UK and European businesses.”

Mr Elphicke consulted a number of industry experts including freight forwarders from Dover.

Neil Wiggins, managing director of Independent Vessel Operations Services, said: “Trade is the lifeblood of our nation, friction-free borders the arteries which allow it to flow.

“We are going to develop a new relationship with the EU.

“We will need new and improved physical and virtual infrastructure and systems ready for use on day one.

“This report and its recommendations would provide a foundation and framework that will support a post-Brexit growth in national prosperity.”