Eurotunnel chiefs insist the cross-Channel operator is ready for Brexit - whatever the result of the political turmoil.

It says 'pit stops' on both sides of the tunnel will help process HGVs in a bid to reduce any hold-ups.

As Westminster enters another day of drama as Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatens to de-select Tory MPs who attempt to block a ruling preventing a 'no deal' exit from the EU, Eurotunnel says it has plans in place for our planned departure on October 31.

Some 22 million passengers use the Le Shuttle and Eurostar services through the tunnel, with Eurotunnel insisting there will be no change to the immigration formalities they pass through.

The plans outlined today are similar to those the cross-Channel operator had in place before the original March 31 Brexit deadline.

For goods, there will be new regulations in the event of a 'no deal', with a system of pre-declaration in the customs systems on each side of the Channel before trucks arrive on the terminals in Folkestone and Coquelles.

Some 5,000 trucks use the tunnel every day.

The two 'pit stops' will 'regroup' all the checks and controls already conducted by Eurotunnel before boarding - these will also enable the scanning of customs documents. These pit stops will check 20 trucks at a time in "just a few short minutes".

Trucks which are declared 'Green Route' by customs officials will cross exactly as they do today.

For trucks that the authorities want to check in more detail, they will go through an 'Orange Route'.

In addition a new customs and sanitary/phytosanitary control zone - to prevent import of harmful foods, animals or plants - has been built on the Coquelles terminal.

Nine inspection bays and 100 parking places are available for the French authorities to check goods coming from the UK, without disrupting through traffic

There has also been a 240-space secure parking zone for trucks heading for the UK.

A spokesman explained: "Since the referendum in 2016, Eurotunnel has worked with the two governments to provide its customers with the fastest and simplest route across the Channel, no matter the outcome on October 31."

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