The United Kingdom spent at least £100 million on post-Brexit inland border facilities that never became operational, according to a Guardian investigation based on newly released government spending figures.

Five of seven facilities in England and Wales did not reach the operational stage after the then-Conservative government scaled back planned checks on goods arriving from the European Union, the newspaper reported on Sunday.

The figures, released by HM Revenue and Customs under freedom-of-information rules, detail spending on acquiring sites, construction and closure. The Guardian’s reporting was by Lisa O’Carroll and Joanna Partridge.

Among the projects was the proposed “Dover white cliffs” facility near Guston, which has cost £28 million despite remaining a field, according to the report. That included £21 million to acquire the land and £7 million for initial groundwork, including an archaeological survey.

A planned facility at a Birmingham airport car park cost £11 million to build and another £6 million to close. At Ebbsfleet International station, converting a former car park into a lorry park cost £4 million, followed by £6 million in closure costs. A site at North Weald airfield cost £3 million to build and £2 million to close.

Two inland sites remain operational: Sevington in Kent and Holyhead in Wales. The Guardian reported previously disclosed capital costs of £154 million for Sevington, with HMRC’s newly released figures putting operational costs at a further £179 million.

Separate from those inland facilities, Portsmouth’s council-owned port spent £23 million on a border control post that has never operated at full capacity. Government funding covered £17.1 million of the project.

Port director Mike Sellers told the Guardian that the facility averages two trailer checks a day, compared with the 80 originally envisioned. Its specialised food-import and biosecurity design makes it unsuitable for general warehousing without alterations, he said.

Sellers and Portsmouth’s council leader are among those seeking government compensation for border posts expected to become redundant when the UK government’s deal with the EU takes effect, the newspaper reported.

Sources