Heysham Port to receive £150k cash boost to help with Brexit transition

The money - announced by Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick on Monday - will help the area to prepare for the end of the transition period.

The fund will help councils prepare for changes at the border, bolstering local plans to ensure operations can continue to run smoothly at the end of the transition period.

Lancaster, Sefton and Lancashire councils will receive significant funding for the High Impact ports in their areas to help plan for any localised disruption.

Cheshire West and Chester will receive additional funding to support local priorities in the run up to the end of the transition period to ensure they can continue to deliver vital services.

This funding could also be used to employ specialist staff to help with their transition planning and reporting. The money is an unringfenced allocation covering spend in 20/21.

Lancaster City Council will receive £150,000, as will Lancashire County Council.

This share of the additional £10m comes on top of £704m Government investment into our borders, including £470m for port infrastructure.

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “The north west is home to some of our most crucial ports, which is why I am pleased key port areas in the region are receiving a £1.3m share of funding to help them prepare for the end of the transition period.

“We will continue to work with our major port areas to ensure a smooth transition on January 1 and beyond.

"We continue to engage with local areas on what support they may need to ensure an orderly end to the transition period."

Coun Dr Erica Lewis, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “Our share of the £1.3m to support north west councils in preparing for the end of the Brexit transition period is welcomed and will contribute to any costs incurred by council business continuity in the eventuality of disruptions arising from changes at our ports and borders.”