Plans are being drawn up to check lorries on land at Ebbsfleet International Eurostar station in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

KentOnline reports that HMRC – which deals with customs checks – has been seeking to use the railway land, which is located between Dartford and Gravesend, if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal in December.

The news website has seen a Kent County Council letter which shows that a Covid testing centre at Ebbsfleet closed two weeks ago because it would be needed for Brexit purposes. The document reads, “We have also been notified that the Ebbsfleet testing centre has closed, as the site is required by HMRC for EU Exit.”

KentOnline says precise use has not been confirmed but it is believed that one of Ebbsfleet station’s car parks would hold up to 80 lorries at a time and a booking system implemented for slots. The cabinet office has been approached for comment