AN expansion of the work of the UK's border force at local ports is already being plotted in Thurrock.

Today (Wednesday, 16 December) the government announced its funding intentions in support of new and enlarged border infrastructures at ports in anticipation of Brexit.

Forth Ports, which operates two key import/export hubs at Tilbury and the recently opening Tilbury2 (plus – Grangemouth in Scotland) will get £11.7m from the Port Infrastructure Fund.

The company says contractors are already on site and the new border inspection facilities are set to be approved and operational for 1 July 2021.

"This £11.7m funding allocation for new border facilities will complement our existing work with cargo owners, shippers and the wider freight community to ensure that our global gateways stay highly productive and congestion free", commented Charles Hammond OBE, chief executive of Forts Ports Group.

Early this week, Mr Hammond told Thurrock Nub News that a suite of tools and dedicated support from the group's in-house Brexit transition support team already put the local teams on the top of their game.

Today he added: "Harnessing our vast experience and proven performance of handling rest-of-world trade supported by I.T. backed border and booking systems, an extensive network of ferry and container connections, and excellent onward rail and road linkages to the largest domestic consumer markets, we will ensure that goods continue to flow efficiently across our borders and onward to their final destination.

"Supply chains are realigning as they seek greater resilience and a low carbon route close to market, and our ports are ideally placed to support through our investment in infrastructure, market leading turnaround times and capacity for growth."