France promises business ‘smart border’ to solve Calais chaos if No Deal Brexit

FRANCE is promising business a “smart border” to solve Calais chaos in the event of a No Deal.

Arch Brexiteer MPs leapt on the revelation yesterday to say it proved cutting edge technology could be used to solve the row over the Irish border.

Under the plans released by French customs, hauliers would enter a customs declaration before travel – generating a specific bar code.

‘Smart’ cameras would then use number plate recognition to identify lorries on arrival – checking the vehicle against the load in “real time”.

Drivers would then be guided towards a “green” channel automatically, allowing them pass straight through the customs control – or diverted to an “orange” lane for checks.

Eurosceptics said it showed Theresa May had been wrong to dismiss technological solutions and “trusted trader” schemes to avoid the need for a hard border in Ireland a year ago.

The idea has been revived by Brexiteers and Housing Minister Kit Malthouse – who are lobbying for ‘alternative arrangements’ to help avoid a backstop, which could tie Britain to EU customs rules after Brexit.

Ex-Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith last night said: “This is proof positive if proof was needed that Alternative Arrangements proposed by the group absolutely do work. There is no need to spend time developing new technologies – all the technology exists.”

Academics last year warned vehicle checks at the UK border post-Brexit could spark tailbacks of up to 29 miles across Kent.

French customs officers have triggered bumper traffic jams around Calais for the past week in a ‘work to rule’ to push for a Brexit pay rise.

Officials were forced to set up holding areas to deal with the weight of traffic as customs staff implement ‘strict and extensive’ border controls.

Eurostar has also suffered delays and cancellations as uniformed officials in Paris interrogate all passengers after they pass through x-ray machines.

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