If Brexit delays are not reduced, Dutch lorry driver could stop bringing their goods to the UK

The largest trade association for Dutch hauliers warned that lorry drivers may start to reject jobs transporting goods across Europe, unless the delays at border posts are reduced and the conditions of the drivers improved.

Transport en Logistiek Nederland, which represents 5,000 Dutch transportation companies, reported that its members faced average waits in Britain of over four hours because of new checks introduced after the UK exited the EU. Some were held at border posts up to twenty hours.

The report said that the waiting areas for drivers at border crossings were “very poor” and offered only water. Drivers could not get any food or drinks.

The association released a 4-page report detailing drivers’ experiences. It said that “we are increasingly hearing from hauliers about their drivers not wanting to drive to the UK until conditions improve.”

The report listed a series of problems Dutch lorry companies and drivers had experienced since the government

The border posts are located near the ports of Harwich, Killingholme and Felixstowe. The largest is an government facility located at Sevington in Ashford. It serves the Port of Dover, despite being only 22 miles away.

TLN raised concerns over the poor conditions and delays drivers face at these ports and demanded that the UK government and port authority provide “good and adequate facilities for drivers”.

Elmer de Bruin is the manager of international affairs at TLN. He said: “Sometimes, these drivers are held in a small waiting room, with only a little water and no coffee.

The drivers who are used to coming to the UK may think that, with the huge shortage of drivers, they can find a new job.

The Guardian reported earlier this week that an Italian lorry-driver had been detained at the Sevington Border Post for 55 hours . He was then instructed to walk more than a half mile to the nearest McDonald’s to buy a meal.

The TLN report highlighted a number other issues with border processes. Dutch hauliers reported that thousands of pounds worth of imported plants had been damaged due to careless handling of goods by port staff during loading and unloading.

A TLN member reported that a UK client rejected €40,000 (£34,000), worth of plant products, because of damage caused during the loading and unloading of a post.

In terms of imports, the Netherlands ranked third in the UK with over £65bn worth of goods transported. Plants and cut flowers are among the most popular products that move from the Netherlands to UK. Imports of these products will reach €2.1bn in the first quarter of 2024.

TLN demanded that port staff be trained better on how to load and unload lorries, and that drivers should be permitted to instruct and assist the staff.

In the report, it was also urged that private operators of border control posts be more transparent about when they conducted checks. The report claimed that companies often receive invoices between £300-£800 for private border posts, but are unaware of the checks carried out.

The organization said it had no issue with the Brexit changes, but wanted to dialogue with the UK Government in order to improve the border.

De Bruin stated: “We are not against the border model – we accept it and respect it – but want to improve the chain of supply, as it is ultimately for the British consumers.

“What we heard is that members say that if it continues like this, you can’t deny that prices will increase in the UK because we suffer such damage and loss, along with the waiting times. Someone has to pay the costs.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated that it has been working closely to ensure checks are completed efficiently and effectively in order to avoid delays. Inspectors have also been trained and equipped to ensure products are handled with care and according to standard operating procedures.

The company said that it provided water and toilets, but not food. Its role was to conduct checks and move drivers as quickly as possible through the process.

British Ports Association spokesperson said: “Most border checkpoints are built and operated by the ports but the checks are done by government agencies.”

We share the frustrations of hauliers and traders about the new processes and how they are being implemented by the government. The government must provide the border agencies with the resources necessary to achieve their target of completing border checks quickly.