On-line prebooking by HGVs of English Channel crossing slots could avoid risks of lengthy Operation Stack delays in Kent post-Brexit, ITS(UK) has suggested.
The not-for-profit membership group, made up of over 150 UK organisations, has suggested that systems already operating across land borders in Eastern Europe are 'capable of being extended and adapted to work in the scenario of temporary but severe disruption to a sea border'.
The proposal was put forward in response to Highways England's Kent Lorry Area Consultation. Land crossings from Lithuania into Belarus or Russia can be pre-booked up to a month in advance, with priority allocations for perishable cargoes.
ITS(UK) general secretary, Jennie Martin, told Transport Network: 'Haulage operators anywhere in the world can schedule their fleets and book crossings at the optimal time.'
The system advises individual drivers of their slots in advance, giving them adequate notice to ensure that the crossings fit in with working hours and rest break regulations. In cases of disruption, it retimes slots and informs fleet managers and drivers accordingly.
'To put it simply', continued Ms Martin, 'the system removes the HGVs from the border areas until the time of their allocated crossing slot'.
It also collects advance data for clearing vehicles, drivers and consignments with immigration, security and customs procedures.
Management and enforcement is by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). A similar system has been introduced on land crossings between Estonia and Russia.
