PART OF the A31 between Alresford and Winchester is now a Brexit lorry park for juggernauts heading for Portsmouth ferry port as increased paperwork is expected to cause tailbacks.

Under Operation Transmission, 5km of closed dual carriageway will allow drivers to sit out likely delays at the port after the UK leaves the European Union tomorrow (January 1).

They can also have their paperwork checked to make sure they are ‘border ready’ as the UK/EU borders are now closed to ‘free movement.’

Operation Transmission was launched on December 30 and is being overseen by Hampshire County Council.

The A31’s westbound carriageway between Alresford and Winchester is now closed to all traffic except EU-bound lorries.

Cars and vans using the road will be guided into contraflow lanes on the eastbound carriageway with a reduced speed limit of 30mph.

Alton town mayor Graham Titterington said: “It’s a busy road and the lane open to daily users won’t be able to cope if the other lanes are a lorry park.

“There is no other realistic alternative route to Winchester, so people will need to plan ahead and leave earlier.”