MAJOR concerns have been raised about port towns becoming gridlocked with lorries for months if strict border checks are imposed in a no-deal Brexit.

Harwich Labour councillor Ivan Henderson said the country has been thrown into chaos by Tuesday’s Brexit vote being cancelled and said he is concerned about the impact of a no-deal on Harwich and its residents.

On Monday, Theresa May announced the vote on her Brexit withdrawal deal would be deferred as there was still concerns and she feared it would be defeated in the House of Commons.

It came after Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote letters to the pharmaceutical industry and NHS about the Government’s preparations for a potential no-deal Brexit. He wrote that if France or other EU countries imposed additional border checks in a no-deal scenario, the impact was “likely to be felt mostly on the short straits crossings” affecting both exports and imports, with “significantly reduced access” for up to six months.

He said: “This is very much a worst-case scenario.”

Mr Henderson said: “I’m really concerned about a no-deal.

“We would then be, and I know from working in the port for 20 years, checking all cargo and traffic coming in and out. It would cause considerable delays at Harwich port but also delays to goods getting to their destinations.

“I believe there would be delays in the port and on our highways where we have traffic piling up outside the port.

“And we know as soon as operation stacks starts at Dover, the lorries head for Harwich.

“We have one road in and it is a single carriageway.

“It doesn’t take a genius to know that’s going to cause problems for the port and local people.

“The roads are already in a bad condition with 1,000 lorries in and out of the port per day - imagine if that doubles.”

Mr Henderson said the only real solution going forward is to call for a general election or a new vote on leaving the EU.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, Conservative MP for Harwich and North Essex, said he had been planning to vote against the Government.

He said: “The proposed EU withdrawal deal would cost £39billion or more with no guarantee of a trade deal with the EU. At present, we have the right to leave the EU, but under this deal we finish up stuck in a backstop, which we can’t leave without EU permission. This is not taking back control. It puts the UK in a far weaker position.

“If the EU will not give the UK a fair deal, the UK must go for a clean break. We would keep most of the money, to support the British economy.

“The Government should be telling the EU it is preparing to leave on March 29 come what may.”

He added that a no-deal would possibly bring more trade to Harwich and any disruptions would be short-lived.

Sir Bernard said: “There is no evidence there will be restrictions or long hold-ups at ports.

“The most vulnerable is Dover but that could result in bringing extra trade to Harwich.

“It could be good for Harwich and any disruptions are likely to be short term.”