Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in addition to the £10.5 million of funding made available to Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Port of Dover for the introduction of the EU Entry-Exit System, what other projects and funding they have planned that can be expedited immediately to ease the potential disruption, not least to the Kent road network.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
DfT and Home Office have allocated £9m and £1.5m respectively to help enable the implementation of EES at Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and Port of Dover in a manner which minimises the risk of disruption. In addition, the Government is working closely with the relevant operators, the French and the European Commission to ensure implementation is optimised.
DfT continues to review contingency planning and traffic management in Kent in response to the additional risks to border throughput which EES poses, with additional contingency measures being planned in conjunction with Kent and Medway Resilience Forum to manage impacts to drivers and local communities in the event of any disruption.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new cabotage rules for touring performers and orchestras introduced by the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and whether they will provide details of all official meetings held between the UK government and the EU at which those rules have been discussed.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Department for Transport’s assessment is that the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) allows for the majority of haulage operations that were being undertaken by UK hauliers before the end of the transition period. However, UK operators will not be allowed to undertake more than 2 movements within the EU before returning to the UK. These rules will also apply to specialist hauliers, such as hauliers who carry equipment for touring performers and orchestras.
Alternative arrangements for specialist hauliers were discussed in detail as part of negotiations, including specific proposals for liberalised access, but the EU was unwilling to agree more flexible arrangements. Unfortunately, the Department is not able to release the content of correspondence and records pertaining to the negotiation; these texts are confidential, and it is therefore not appropriate for them to be published.