Brexit Border Blitz: Kent to Demand Permits for Lorry Drivers from January
Michael Gove Confirms New Kent Access Permits
Michael Gove has announced a major shake-up on the roads of Kent. From 1 January, lorry drivers heading to the EU via Kent will need a mandatory “Kent access permit” (KAP) to enter the county. This new de facto Brexit border will be enforced by police and ANPR cameras snapping number plates to ensure compliance.
Who Needs the Permit?
All truckers – British or foreign – travelling from UK depots, including those in the Midlands, must secure a KAP before arriving in Kent if they plan to catch a ferry or Eurotunnel train. Gove told the Commons that the process will be “relatively simple” but conceded enforcement will be strict to stop delays for local residents.
“It will be the case that through policing, ANPR cameras and other means, we will do our very best to ensure constituents are not inconvenienced,” Gove said.
Industry Hits Back: Confusion and Chaos Loom
The introduction of KAPs has hit a wall of scepticism. The Road Haulage Association slammed their recent meeting with Gove as a “waste of time”. Hauliers warn the plan lacks clear detail — who issues the permits? What if drivers face delays? And crucially, how will the rules be enforced?
Labour MP Angela Eagle grilled ministers on the scheme:
“Who’s going to be patrolling the Kent borders to make sure that no lorry goes into Kent if it hasn’t got one? Where are the border posts going to be?” she demanded.
So far, ministers have offered little more than silence and blank looks. Rumours that Gove disappeared to “sweep the issue under the carpet” are untrue, but the government’s border plan remains shrouded in mystery – and mounting doubt.
