The Road Haulage Assocation (RHA) and logistics industry leaders have called for an urgent government meeting over potential Brexit chaos.

In a letter to Michael Gove they warned that the supply chain faces severe disruption on 1 January amid concerns over the Government’s slow progress on key infrastructure to keep goods moving across borders.

They said a lack of movement from ministers on launching new customs IT systems, border infrastructure, and funding for 50,000 new customs brokers to manage huge bureaucracies could mean chaos at UK ports.

RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett said: “There are a range of critical issues the Chancellor, Michael Gove and the Transport Secretary need to address ranging from the SmartFreight app and other untried and untested IT systems, to the lack of customs agents and clear processes for tackling the mountain of red tape traders will face. 

“The government’s pace is simply too slow on this and that’s why we – the people who run the UK’s supply chain – need an urgent meeting with those at the top of government dealing with Brexit preparations.”

The group has called for a meeting with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport.

Photo: Richard Burnett