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The British government’s post-Brexit infrastructure planning has faced substantial scrutiny following the revelation that a £2.3 million border inspection facility at Poole has conducted just two checks since its inauguration.
This striking underutilisation highlights broader inefficiencies and missteps in adapting to new border requirements post-Brexit.
Brian Murphy, the chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, has expressed discontent with the prior administration’s handling of the transition, citing policy shifts that have rendered the facility largely redundant. "It’s a very attractive, big facility," Murphy noted, lamenting its lack of use despite the significant investment.
The Poole border post’s situation is not unique. Portsmouth’s £25 million, two-acre border control post at Portsmouth International Port has also faced similar issues. Dubbed a “white elephant” by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the facility was initially envisioned to accommodate large-scale security checks for exports post-Brexit. However, it has been performing significantly fewer checks than expected, leaving it as an “untenable drain” on Portsmouth City Council’s finances.
Portsmouth City Council (PCC) had taken out a multi-million-pound loan to cover the construction of this facility. Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of PCC, disclosed that the facility was built to handle 80 checks a day, based on estimations from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) under the previous Conservative government.
However, port workers have only been carrying out about 80 checks a month, averaging just two or three a day. Councillor Pitt warned, "This activity is not sustainable in covering ongoing operating costs, which are significant, and not forgetting the £6m shortfall in funding to cover the costs to build the BCP, as directed by government."
The operational inefficiencies at these border posts also raise questions about the foresight and consultation involved in their development. The anticipated increase in border checks and inspections has not materialised to the extent predicted, leaving these expensive facilities underused and highlighting a significant gap between policy intentions and on-the-ground realities.
Port director Mike Sellers admitted that roughly half of the Portsmouth building will not be used. Despite its state-of-the-art laboratory-grade inspection rooms and bio-secure chambers for animal, plant, and forestry goods, the facility is operating far below its full potential. This significant financial burden is an ongoing concern for the council and the local community.
Ultimately, the £2.3 million Poole border inspection facility epitomises the broader challenges faced by the UK in its post-Brexit transition. The substantial investment in these infrastructures, paired with their minimal utilisation, calls for a thorough reassessment of border management strategies and better alignment with the actual needs of trade and regulatory compliance.
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