UK Transport in Europe (UKTiE) calls on Government to publish a position paper on transport to help kick-start negotiations in Brussels.
Yesterday at a meeting in the House of Lords, Mark Watts, Co-ordinator of UK Transport in Europe, made the case for the Government to publish a Brexit position paper on transport to help kick-start the negotiations and secure a Brexit deal for transport.
In Brussels there seems to be little prospect of negotiations on transport commencing any time soon.
The Government have so far published 11 position papers on a diverse range of topics from data protection to customs, but none deal specifically with transport.
Mark Watts said:
‘With just 12 months left to negotiate a Brexit deal for transport it’s vital we begin the negotiations in Brussels soon. A Government position paper on transport, setting out what the UK would like to see from a future relationship, would help kick-start the negotiations and ensure the millions of consumers and businesses across Europe have the certainty they need.’
He continued:
‘A clear steer from Government would help industry make the case that it is in the interests of both the EU and the UK that we begin negotiations soon with a view to agreeing a transport deal, or at the very least a transitional arrangement, by September next year.’
He concluded:
‘If we don’t begin talks soon we risk a cliff-edge for the transport industry, disruption to the entire supply chain and uncertainty for millions of businesses and consumers.’
Speakers included
- Tony Berkeley, Member of the House of Lords, Chair of Rail Freight Group
- Mark Watts – Co-ordinator of UKTiE
- Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Department of Transport
- Baroness Hayter, Shadow Spokesperson DExEU
- Andrew Haines, CEO – Civil Aviation Authority
- John Thomas, Director of Policy – Rail Delivery Group
- Emma Giddings, Partner – Norton Rose Fulbright
The event took place between 17:00 – 19:00 at the House of Lords, Committee Room G and was hosted by Lord Berkeley.
The views of UKTIE do not necessarily represent the views of individual members.
Contact
For further information please contact Mark Watts on +447795 548766 or Eva Cunningham on +32 48724 0614 or email uktie@idagroup.global
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