With the clock ticking towards March 2019, the potential consequences of Brexit on Kent - the gateway to Europe - are beginning to emerge. While the government continues with its protracted negotiations there remains considerable uncertainty about the precise outcome of and the terms of departure.

So, what are the risks and the opportunities for the county known as the Gateway to Europe?

In the first of a series of articles assessing the key issues affecting the future for Kent outside the EU, Political Editor Paul Francis considers whether Brexit really threatens to bring traffic gridlock to Kent’s already congested road network and asks if a pledge by transport secretary Chris Grayling that vehicle checks at the Port of Dover will not be needed stacks up.