THE LEADER of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has panned the idea of the M3 outside of Basingstoke being used as a lorry park in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

As reported here yesterday, (read more here), a section of the M3 outside of Basingstoke could be used as a lorry park in event of a no-deal Brexit, according to the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable.

The "worst-case scenario" – which would affect the motorway between Winchester and Basingstoke, according to national reports – was revealed to Sir Vince, on Tuesday, as he visited Portsmouth International Port to learn of preparations for the UK's departure from the European Union.

The idea, from Hampshire's Local Resilience Forum (LRF) which prepares for emergency scenarios, would allow for 10,000 lorries to be parked on the M3, according to the BBC.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Councillor Clive Sanders, slammed the idea.

Cllr Sanders said: “It is difficult to see why a stacking arrangement on a two-lane stretch of the M3 away from the ports would be desirable or practical.

“You would not want this main artery blocked where there is no alternative.

“This has never been discussed with us but it is reassuring that the highways agency has confirmed this is not being planned and is an absolute last resort.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The department is not planning to stack lorries on the M3."