Defra plans to fast-track supermarket lorries during port disruption

The proposed scheme aims to ensure the vehicles are not delayed crossing the Channel by giving them access to open lanes on the M20, so they can refill and return as normal.

A consultation document – issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and seen by the Press Association news agency – says these are “emergency measures only to be used in extremis and for the shortest time possible”.

The scheme would only be triggered once congestion on the approach roads to Dover reaches eight hours and deliveries to supermarkets fall below 75% of the schedule for two consecutive days.

Defra says: “The combination of these unprecedented factors is likely to contribute to delays at the border which could, in turn, prevent the speedy return of empty goods vehicles to the EU where they can collect more food.

“Such delays are likely to have a direct impact on the UK’s food supply.”