Birmingham Airport’s Car Park 6 has been designated as an Inland Border Facility (IBF) and you are being asked for your views. IBFs are more commonly called ‘Brexit Lorry Parks’ and will be the locations where journeys to and from the UK can start and end. A sort of ‘remote’ Dover the location will be used to undertake security, vehicle and paperwork checks. The aim being to prevent total chaos at UK ports. Although many miles from any port, the Solihull location is being justified due to its proximity to the motorway network. It is billed as a ‘temporary’ arrangement but the order would allow it to operate for up to 5 years.
Labour’s first concern is that the opportunity for residents to have their say is almost non-existent. Residents views will be captured in a ‘stakeholder report’ but the proposal won’t follow the usual planning process. The government has decided instead to use emergency powers and there will be no need for them to even secure planning permission from Solihull Council.
It is this side-lining of the role of the local council and residents that led us to entitle the photo graphic as ‘Stakeholder Engagement Report Equals Meaningless Consultation’. Please forgive the cynic in us! The period for residents to submit their views has been limited to just 14 days and closes this Friday 30/10/2020.
There are also real concerns about the impact that the site will have on the local infrastructure and communities. This includes concerns about traffic congestion and additional noise and air pollution.
More information about the ‘Brexit Lorry Park’ can be found HERE, which is the same location for you to submit your comments.