The Newhaven MP Maria Caulfield has secured a new Covid testing site at Pease Pottage for hauliers wishing to use Newhaven Port to get to the continent.
Freight driver must receive a negative Covid test before continuing their journey to mainland Europe meaning that many were going to ports in Kent or Hampshire where testing sites were more accessible rather than using the Newhaven to Dieppe route. Newhaven Port have been calling for a Covid testing site to attract freight drivers back to the port, and were supported in their calls by local MP Maria Caulfield.
Following her intervention and discussions with the government, a new Covid testing site for hauliers will be put in place at Pease Pottage Services on the M23.
Maria Caulfield MP said “Newhaven Port is a vital part of our local economy here in Newhaven and it is essential that freight drivers have easy access to Covid testing facilities that will enable them to travel to France. Following discussions with Newhaven Port I was more than happy to support them and raised this issue with government Ministers and have subsequently secured a Covid testing site at Pease Pottage Services on the M23 for use by freight drivers traveling to Newhaven.”
“I will continue to do all that I can to support Newahaven Port and the wider community in Newhaven.”
Captain Dave Collins-Williams, the Port Manager and Harbour Master at Newhaven said “I am pleased that at long last, the Government are to establish a Covid testing site for freight drivers at Pease Pottage Services on the M23, as we have been calling for this since December. Until now it has been more convenient for hauliers to travel back to France via Kent or Hampshire, both of which have benefited from testing sites enroute to their Ports.”
“This will hopefully attract back to the Newhaven – Dieppe route the hauliers that may have been lost to other export locations. I am extremely grateful for the support I have received over the last 2 months from MP Maria Caulfield and the Sussex Resilience Forum.”
