No-deal Brexit disruption could turn the M20 into a giant lorry park, Government warns

The M20 will be turned into a giant lorry park because of huge disruption to cross-channel trade caused by the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to official no deal plans unveiled next week.

The Telegraph understands that official plans for a no deal Brexit, which will be published next week, say that while the UK will "minimise" customs checks at British ports there is a "high likelihood" that there will be "disruption and delays" at European ports.

According to an industry source, the document states that in the event of a "no deal" Brexit Operation Brock - which will see half the M20 closed off for a 13-mile stretch- will form a "key part" of contingency plans.

One half of the motorway would be used as a lorry park for lorries queuing for Dover and Folkestone, with all traffic squeezed onto the other half.

The "technical notice" for the haulage industry suggests that British lorries could be banned from travelling to the European Union entirely, forcing haulage companies to resort to shipping freight in containers instead.

It also states that British drivers may have to apply for international driving permits after Brexit as the EU may no longer recognise UK licences.

It is one of 83 papers on no-deal Brexit over the next month, with the first tranche being published on Thursday next week.

The papers have led to accusations from Eurosceptics that they represent a "kamikaze" approach to Brexit and will only hand the EU a negotiating advantage. 

However Dominic Raab, the Brexit Secretary, believes that they are a "serious and sober" response to the risks posed by no deal.

The paper says that there is a likelihood that the EU will introduce "checks for customs, sanitary and possibly transport documentation" at ports on the continent.

It suggests that checks introduced in France will lead to potential tailbacks in the UK for goods waiting to leave the UK.

It also warns that British lorries will lose the right to "community licences" which are needed for journeys to the European Union.

Hauliers will instead be forced to rely on permits, which are subject to a strict quota and would not be enough to cover trade with the EU. 

The documents says that the permits are "limited in number", which means that hauliers will have to "maximise the amount of goods they transport" on each journey.

It suggests that the industry should examine "different routes" or look at "different modes of transport" entirely, such as using shipping containers.

David Jones, a Eurosceptic Tory MP, warned that the no deal documents must not become an "exercise in gloom and doom". 

"It risks allowing the EU to hone in on areas of weakness and exploit them. It risks giving succour to our opponents on the other side of the negotiating table."

Other no-deal papers likely to be published next week will be on farming, financial services and aviation.