Ports Demand Compensation for Brexit Border Posts Branded ‘White Elephants’

Fresh Produce Sector Joins Call for Reimbursement Amid Policy U-Turn.

British ports are demanding more than £120 million in compensation for specialist border control posts built in response to post-Brexit requirements—facilities now widely regarded as redundant following the UK’s agreement to eliminate most EU import checks.

The British Ports Association (BPA), which represents over 400 UK ports, has labelled the infrastructure “white elephants” and is calling on the government to repay the private investments made in good faith to comply with new border control regulations.

Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the BPA, said: “This agreement means that many new border control posts that were built at a cost of over £120 million to industry to manage checks that never fully materialised are now likely to become obsolete. Government should cover the full costs of these white elephants and put this episode behind us.”

Portsmouth International Port, owned by Portsmouth City Council, is among those calling for urgent clarity. The council invested £6 million of its own funds—on top of government grants—to construct a highly specialised facility for post-Brexit inspections.

Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “We have repeatedly asked for a clear direction on the future of the border control posts. Ours is a significant piece of infrastructure that takes up two acres of operational land and has meant a loss of commercial opportunity for the port. This specialist facility cost over £23 million to build and its future is now uncertain.”

Joining the chorus is the fresh produce industry, which independently funded similar infrastructure known as "control points"—sites built at the request of government to manage border inspections for highly perishable food.

Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), stated: “The fresh produce sector has also invested millions with no grant funding in similar facilities called control points at the request of Government. Currently these are mostly underutilised as Government knowingly fails to provide adequate official inspectors to meet our normal trade flow.

“Ultimately these will also appear to become unnecessary, so Government should fully compensate the wider industry for their proactive approach at the Government’s request.”

The National Audit Office has previously warned that the government is expected to spend over £4.7 billion on post-Brexit border controls over their lifetime, with the rollout plagued by staffing shortages and delays.

As industry and local authorities demand answers, pressure is mounting on ministers to deliver both clarity and compensation. The government has been approached for comment.

Source: City AM