Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility

Update: The Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility closed permanently to all customers on 27 November 2022. Traffic should now use the Sevington or Holyhead sites.

Overview

This page provides an opportunity for interested individuals and organisations to view information about the Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility.

The site acts as a location for starting transit movements of goods from the UK. The site includes parking areas for HGVs and other vehicles as well as security measures and facilities to enable the checking of vehicles and goods entering and exiting the site. UK Border Force are carrying out document checks on consignments covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The submission relating to the Government’s proposals for the Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility was approved by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in November 2020. As such, the site at Ebbsfleet International Station, Car Park D is in use as an inland border facility as of 1 January 2021 for 24 months. The site is also subject to construction and operational management plans which have now been approved.

The decision notice relating to MHCLG’s approval of the SDO application is available to view here

The temporary approval for the use of the site as an inland border facility came to an end on 31 December 2022. Operations have ceased and the site is currently being reinstated, in accordance with an approved reinstatement plan. Please see the link here

Contact us

If you have a specific concern, please contact us using the email below:

complaints.ebbsfleetibf@hmrc.gov.uk

Community updates

News and updates for the local community regarding the Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility are available to view below.

1st January 2020

The Ebbsfleet Inland Border facility is now operational, enabling the safe and efficient processing of customs paperwork relating to international freight movement.

The operations of the inland border facility will continue to be carefully managed in accordance with the requirements of the approved Operational Management Plan (OMP). This includes the ongoing monitoring of traffic flows and site usage in conjunction with the local highway authority and Highways England.

As part of ongoing traffic management, signage has been used on local and strategic road networks to enable HGV drivers and staff to navigate to the site. Signage on site also provides contact information for any possible issues.

Engagement from Government departments with key stakeholders is ongoing to ensure that they are kept informed regarding operations on site. Further information for hauliers and guidance on attending an Inland Border Facility is available here

23rd October 2020

We wanted to let you know that we will be commencing some construction works on the site under the existing temporary planning permission. These works will be carried out under the current Special Development Order for the site which expires on the 31st of December 2020.  

You may see some site set up works starting from 26 October, with construction works commencing. from 2 November 2020. 

This work is important to ensure that the site can be ready for the 1st of January 2021 to help support readiness for the end of the transition period. Inland border facilities form an essential part of our preparations to manage any potential disruption and ensure the free flow of goods in and out of the UK.

All works will be carried out in accordance with an approved construction management plan in order to minimise any potential impacts upon local residents.  

Construction and Operations

An Operational Management Plan (OMP) has been developed for the inland border facility. The OMP explains the tasks involved in safely managing and operating the site in a manner to reduce the potential for any adverse impacts on site or locally. It provides a framework of guidance to all site users and describes in detail the arrangements for delivering the intended services. A non-technical summary of the OMP can be viewed here

A Construction Management Plan (CMP) has been developed for the inland border facility. The CMP explains how construction works will be managed. It also ensures that possible impacts that may arise from the works have been appropriately identified and mitigated. The CMP for the inland border facility is available to view here

Site Location Map

Inland border facility location

The site is located at Car Park D of Ebbsfleet International Station.

The site is within a short drive of the A2 trunk road, a major access route into and out of the ports operating in the Dover Straits, particularly Eurotunnel and Dover. The site is an existing car park.

Hauliers can approach the site from the north, exiting the M25 at junction 2 (Darenth Interchange) onto the A2 before taking the A2260 and accessing the site through International Way.


Traffic flow and access

Directing vehicles to the inland border facility

HGVs travelling to the site from Scotland, North Wales, northern England, the Midlands, the Chilterns and East Anglia approach the site from the north, meaning they exit the M25 at junction 2 (Darenth Interchange) onto the A2 before taking the A2260 and International Way to the site.

From Wales, the South-West and South Coast

HGVs travelling from South Wales, the south-west and the majority of the South Coast approach the site from the south, also exiting the M25 at junction 2 onto the A2 before taking the A2260 and International Way.

From London, Kent and East Sussex

In smaller numbers, HGVs travelling from London approach the site from the west, travelling to the site on the A2. HGVs travelling to the site from Kent and East Sussex approach the site from the east, also travelling to the site on the A2.

Prominent road signage

Prominent road signage has been installed that directs HGV drivers to and from the Inland Border Facility.

Signs are in place at the site entrance to advise hauliers about the use of site facilities and providing site contact details.

The signage strategy was approved as part of the OMP.

Entry and exit points at the facility

There are separate entry and exit points at the site. Access to the site is from a newly constructed access point on International Way, approximately 400m north of the A2260 / B259 / International Way roundabout, whilst exit is from the existing exit point just north of the aforementioned roundabout.

Information for hauliers

Information for hauliers attending the Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility is available to view here

Operation Brock

Operation Brock is a Kent traffic management system that can be deployed to manage the flow of HGVs and reduce traffic congestion in the event of cross-Channel disruption. It was developed by Highways England, the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) and DfT in 2018 as an alternative to Operation Stack in preparation for the UK’s departure from the European Union. It was revised in readiness for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.

Operation Brock has multiple phases that can be activated depending on the scale of the disruption. Unlike Operation Stack, it allows the M20 to remain open for general, though reduced, use by passenger vehicles through the use of a ‘contraflow’ in which HGVs can be queued. This contraflow is deployed using a moveable barrier between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20.

Access & vehicle movement plan


Environment

The inland border facility is temporary and designed to ensure no significant or long-term environmental effects. HMRC, alongside other Government departments, reviewed the options for use of the site and planning consent was granted for two years.

Given the temporary nature of the inland border facilities, reinstatement plans have been prepared which can be implemented when the inland border facility activities cease. Details of the reinstatement plan will be explored in consultation with Natural England and the local community.

As part of the 2020 SDO approval, a study of the likely environmental effects was produced. This study considered the impact of the site on air quality, cultural heritage, landscape and visual effects, biodiversity, road drainage and water, and noise. The study also considered geology and soils, material assets and waste, population and health, and climate.

Noise monitoring surveys are required as a condition of the 2020 SDO at this site. These allow the noise levels generated by the site to be monitored and mitigated if necessary. Continuous monitors have been installed on site which monitor the noise levels.


Frequently asked questions

What is the role of the inland border facility?

The site acts as a location for starting transit movements of goods outbound from the UK. Each location includes parking areas for HGVs and other vehicles as well as security measures and facilities to enable the checking of vehicles entering and exiting the sites. There are also temporary office buildings as well as staff and driver welfare amenities.

Why this location?

Car Park D at Ebbsfleet International is located within a short drive of the A2 trunk road, a major access route to the ports in Kent including Dover and Eurotunnel

Will the operation of the site impact local communities?

The site is not located directly alongside residential properties. HGVs that access the site will also not pass by residential properties. The site is not located directly alongside residential properties. HGVs that access the site do not pass by residential properties.

What is the capacity of the site?

The capacity of the inland border facility is up to 256 HGV spaces.

How have the proposals changed when compared to the 2019 approval?

When compared to the 2019 approval, the current proposals have evolved in a number of ways, including as follows:

  • A reduction in HGV parking spaces, bringing the total number of spaces to 256, down from 393
  • Provision of four additional swim lanes to facilitate processing, reduce queue lengths and minimise impacts on the Strategic Road Network
  • Provision of two inspection sheds, to enable the on-site inspections of HGVs
  • Additional driver welfare facilities and office space to accommodate the increased number of HGV spaces
  • Provision of additional staff/marshall car parking spaces
  • New safety measure to allow for ‘fire breaks’ in the lengths of bays for parked vehicles
  • Provision of two-way access into the site for the British Transport Police to their existing compound within the site

What impact will Highways England’s A2 upgrades have on the site?

We continue to engage with Highways England about other regional road improvement schemes such as the planned A2 Bean to Ebbsfleet upgrades as well as managing the Strategic Road Network.

How many staff are on site?

Approximately 140 FTE staff are on site in shift patterns and there are parking provisions and welfare facilities provided for them onsite.

What type of vehicles use the inland border facility?

The inland border facility is used by HGVs, cars and vans, including staff vehicles.

Are refrigerated vehicles expected at the inland border facility?

Provision is available for refrigerated vehicles. No idling is permitted by refrigerated vehicles as engines of all stationary vehicles must be switched off while on site.

Are vehicles inspected at the inland border facility?

There are inspection bays on site and the time required for each HGV check (excluding physical inspection) is a maximum of two hours. If a physical examination is required, an inspection may take up to eight hours.

Are goods unloaded at the inland border facility?

There are examination facilities on site, and some goods that are brought to the site will need a physical examination.

How will construction on the site be managed?

A Construction Management Plan (CMP) has been developed for the inland border facility. The CMP explains how construction works will be managed. It also ensures that possible impacts that may arise from the works have been appropriately identified and mitigated.

Are any hazardous materials brought on to the inland border facility?

The Operational Management Plan (OMP) is in place and sets out how the site is managed and operated safely, including in relation to any hazardous materials.

What is happening to the Covid-19 testing facility on the site?

Regional testing sites were set up at great speed and selected for their immediate availability, security and access. The regional testing site at Ebbsfleet International Station (Car Park D) has ceased operations and a new regional testing site is operating at Curtis Way, Rochester. The relocation will allow the network to continue operating as long as needed.