Withdrawal from the European Union
The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020 and entered into a transition period that ended on 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021 the rules for citizens, businesses and travel to and from the EU changed.
We have been working closely with our partners in the Kent Resilience Forum to prepare for the end of the EU transition period and help to manage any traffic disruption that may result from changes to customs rules.
Anyone due to travel to Kent following the end of the transition period is advised to plan ahead for any possible delays that may occur. Further advice and guidance is available on the Kent Prepared website - www.kentprepared.org.uk/preparing-for-brexit
Please note – From 6 April, hauliers arriving in England from abroad will need to take a Covid-19 test if they are staying for more than 2 days. They need to take the first test within the first 2 days, then further tests every 3 days.
This will apply to drivers and crews of HGVs and drivers of vans and other light goods vehicles. It applies to both UK-based and non-UK hauliers.
- For the latest instructions for HGV drivers, click here.
Other sources of advice
Kent Resilience Forum
The KRF is a partnership of organisations and agencies who work together to improve the resilience of Kent and Medway, and to ensure a coordinated response from the emergency services and partners.
- Preparing for the end of the Brexit transition period - www.kentprepared.org.uk/end-of-transition-plans
- Preparing for EU transition - www.kentprepared.org.uk/preparing-for-brexit
- EU transition business advice - www.kentprepared.org.uk/eu-transtion-business-advice
- Kent Resilience Forum threat and risk assessment - www.kentprepared.org.uk/eu-transition-threat-and-risk-asses
Kent County Council (KCC) information
- KCC have setup a Kent Brexit account to follow on Twitter - @Kent_cc
- The UK has left the EU - Brexit transition: time is running out - www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/uk-has-left-the-european-union
Government Guidance
- GOV.UK - EU Transition - www.gov.uk/transition
- GOV.UK - Visiting Europe from 1 January 2021 - www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021
- GOV.UK - Business travel - visiting Europe from 1 January 2021 - www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021/business-travel-extra-requirements
- GOV.UK - Exporting goods from Great Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021 - www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-britain-from-january-2021
- GOV.UK - Importing goods from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021 - www.gov.uk/prepare-to-import-to-great-britain-from-january-2021
Travel Advice
For the latest travel information, visit:
- Highways England - www.trafficengland.com
- KCC Highways - www.kenttraffic.info
Keep updated with the latest local travel information on Twitter:
- Kent County Council Highways: @KentHighways
- Highways England South East: @highwaysseast
- Port of Dover: @PoD_travelnews
- Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: @Leshuttle
- Southeastern Railway: @Se_Railway
- Euro Tunnel Le Shuttle Brexit information and updates - www.eurotunnel.com/uk/brexit/
- Euro Tunnel le shuttle latest travel information - www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/latest/
- Kent County Council transition travel and transport -www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/uk-has-left-the-european-union/travel-and-transport
- Port of Dover - before arriving in Kent - www.doverport.co.uk/port/about/brexit-before-arriving-in-kent/
- P&O Ferries - travelling to the EU after Brexit - www.poferries.com/en/brexit