HAMPSHIRE County Council has confirmed work is suspended on a new A31 ‘Brexit truck-stop’ between Winchester and Alresford following the announcement the UK’s exit from the EU is now likely to take place on January 31.

The work, Operation Transmission, was to provide parking and safe lanes along the road in case of delays at the ferry port in Portsmouth if the UK had left the EU without a deal on October 31.

Originally set to be implemented last week, the emergency measures would have seen Portsmouth-bound HGVs directed off the A3 at Guildford and on to the A31 Hogs Back, passing through Farnham and Alton on their way to the holding area.

But now it is hoped the extension to January will see the government agree a leave deal with the EU.

The council deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire, Cllr Rob Humby, said: “In light of national developments, the Local Resilience Forum has suspended work on the Operation Transmission plan. Therefore, I can confirm there will be no further work on the A31 between Winchester and Alresford at this time.”

Operation Transmission was a ‘no-deal’ contingency plan aimed at managing traffic flows in the south of the county, avoiding severe traffic congestion on the M275 and M27 which could be caused by delays at the ferry port.

The plan involved triages and holding sites for EU-destined lorries located away from the port, including along a section of the A31 with a holding capacity for HGVs which might arrive at the port with documentation not ‘border ready.’

The council and partners will continue to plan for a worst-case scenario in case of a no-deal Brexit in Janaury, and the Operation Transmission plan remains ready to be implemented if required.

The council has already completed initial engineering and preparation work to ensure the plan can be fully implemented, within a short time frame if necessary, and to ensure regular traffic could continue to flow in both directions along the A31.

If required, traffic management arrangements needed to install the ‘Transmission’ contraflow will be carried out at night, over no more than three evenings.

There will also be a continuous police presence on site when the holding area is active.