Government proposals to use Manston airfield in Thanet as a park for more than 6,000 lorries in the event of a no-deal Brexit will place a “disproportionate burden” on the area, council leader Bob Bayford fears.

The Conservative says council resources “will be stretched” in the worst-case scenario, but that plans are in place.

Should the UK leave the EU without a deal, proposals to use the Manston site could be used as an emergency lorry park could be rolled out.

Speaking at a council meeting last Thursday, September 5, Cllr Bayford said: “It’s fair to say that Thanet, as well as several of our partners including Kent Police, Dover District Council, and the Port of Dover, have expressed their concerns regarding the use of Manston airfield for the parking of more than 6,000 lorries.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke has previously said using the airport site made no sense and that it would not work.

“We are fully aware these plans place a disproportionate burden on the district’s residents, businesses, and even our own staff.

“While we understand that the UK preparing to leave the EU is of national importance, this simply cannot be to the detriment of our district, and we have worked tirelessly to make our concerns heard, both at the department for transport and the ministry for housing, communities and local government.

“The proposed Operation Brock plans, especially regarding Manston, and the potential impact on all our communities needs to be fully recognised by the government and the allocation of resources needs to reflect the increased risk faced by the district.”

The authority has drawn up duty rotas to ensure leading officers are informed of arrangements regarding a no deal Brexit and all council services have carried out business continuity impact assessments.

A Brexit lead has also been appointed and the council has “actively engaged” with operation lundy - the multi-agency test for plans.

Cllr Bayford added: “We have submitted our assessments of the local cost of implementing plans regarding a no deal Brexit and the government has so far awarded £270,000 in relation to those costs.

“However, it is disappointing that they have done this without aligning the funding with the likely level of impact on each district.

“While we have and will do all we can to mitigate for a worst-case scenario, it’s fair to say if that does happen, council resources will be stretched.

“But it will be through our starch professionalism of the commitment to the residents of the district that we will all need to pull together as a community to get through what would undoubtedly be unchartered and choppy waters.”

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