While negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement seem to be heading towards an impasse in Brussels, the consequences of a possible "no deal" are beginning to emerge in the Pas-de-Calais.
The British precaution generates road traffic which obstructs access to the Channel Tunnel and the port terminals.
The chances of a post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union (EU) and the UK appeared to be dwindling on Friday, as the December 31 deadline quickly approached.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the leaders of the 27 Member States, meeting at a summit in Brussels, that hopes for an agreement were "low".
Same story with the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who judged "very, very likely" the failure of the negotiations.
These summit negotiations will of course have immense repercussions on the lives of the British, but not only that.
In Pas-de-Calais, and in Calais in particular, we are already seeing what a
no deal
could mean on a
daily basis.
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Up to 9,000 trucks per day in Calais
At the entrance to the port of this city and the Channel Tunnel, it has been going on for three weeks.
The trucks follow each other in long queues.
Some days, up to 9,000 trucks cross the Channel, blocking access to the tunnel or ferry terminals.
Another consequence: the highways are congested.
During the holiday season, goods traffic is still strong to the United Kingdom.
But with the approach of December 31 - date on which trade is likely to be carried out according to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), that is to say with customs duties and quotas -, the British are stocking more and importing tons of additional goods.
"The British are importing en masse to be able to stock"
"In the event of a hard Brexit, there is a significant taxation of imported products. So [the British] are importing en masse today in order to be able to stock and resell at the same price over the period of the first quarter of 2021", explains David Sagnard, who chairs the Federation of road transport operators in the region.
For local transport companies, these traffic jams are also synonymous with disruption.
Because of the slowdowns and delays, that of Sébastien Allan loses 10% of its turnover.
"It's dead loss and disorganization," says the entrepreneur.
"If I pay all my charges today, it is to use the roads. If I cannot use the roads where I have to work, then be explained to me! I understand very well the tunnel. Only we didn't wake up yesterday to Brexit, saying 'hey, we're going to do a Brexit. We're going to block everything'. "
According to road carriers, this blockage situation augurs well after December 31.
On the side of the authorities, however, we assure that everything will be ready in the port and the Channel Tunnel to ensure maximum fluidity if Brexit ends in a
no deal
.
The EU has also provided for emergency measures in the event of a
no deal
.
They aim to maintain connectivity in road and air transport for six months, provided London does the same, and to ensure reciprocal access to the waters of both parties for fishing vessels in 2021.