Holidaymakers and Islanders are being warned to expect delays when driving through Portsmouth from January 1, when the UK’s separation from the EU is finalised.

A plan is due to be put in place to deal with freight travelling to the Channel Islands, France and Spain.

Those behind it say it should minimise the impact queuing lorries will have on other traffic through the city - including cars heading to the Isle of Wight.

The consortium of emergency service teams, council officers and industry experts known as the Local Resilience Forum say they are hoping for the best, while working to the worst case scenario. 

Isle of Wight Council was not available for comment, at the time of writing this article.

Three checkpoints will be set up - on the A31 (between Alresford and Winchester), at Tipner (just outside Portsmouth) and at the entrance to Portsmouth International Port (PIP) (just off the M275 - the main motorway into the city).

The PIP gate can cope with up to 13 queuing lorries before it impacts other traffic, so instead lorries will not be allowed to arrive there without the correct paperwork.

Instead, they will pass through the two other checkpoints.

Those without the correct paperwork, for whom the problem cannot be easily solved, will be sent away.

Meanwhile ‘easements’ have been put in place for traffic entering the country - which means easier transit until July.

Bad weather cancellations are rare, insists the forum and there are gaps in the sailing schedule to allow for traffic delayed by the weather conditions.

The Dft has granted the area £2.5 million towards the arrangements. It is not enough to pay for the 12 week plan in full, but the forum says the government is open and supportive to the need for more cash.

Meanwhile, admid the calming messages from local planners, concerns were raised last week, with the government's 'oven ready' deal yet to be finalised.