Work continues to construct a temporary Inland Border Facility to provide 53 HGV spaces and 66 staff parking spaces at North Weald Airfield to enable a range of border controls, including customs checks, an office of departure and destination for lorries moving goods under the Common Transit Convention, and to process ATA Carnets for the temporary import of non-perishable goods as the transition period for the UK leaving the EU comes to an end this month.
Concern has been raised by North Weald Parish Council about local roads being used as unofficial rest stops by long distance lorry drivers, in addition to roads through and around the village being more congested as HGVs exit the M11 and make their way into the new facility at the airfield.
Alex met Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Alan Buckley, to discuss the concerns. Alex said, "I fully understand the concerns of the Parish Council about the effect this new facility could have on North Weald and have written to HMRC to ask for the Parish Council's questions to be answered as soon as possible. Road safety in North Weald cannot be compromised and arrangements need to be made by the contractors involved to keep vehicles moving and traffic flowing safely."
The site is intended to operate from 1st January 2021 until 31st December 2022, 24 hours a day seven days a week
Pictured: Alex Burghart MP with North Weald Parish Council Chairman, Alan Buckley at Vicarage Lane West