Row over water and fuel shortage warning for no-deal Brexit 'risk' to Dudley

A risk register compiled by officials at Dudley Council highlights a series of Brexit related concerns for the borough, including limits to the supply of drinking water, shortages of fuel, gridlocked traffic and the disruption over food imports.

People’s Vote campaigners calling for a second referendum say the report should provide a wake up call to both politicians and the public over the dangers of no-deal.

'Worst case'

But Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley has hit back, describing the warnings in the risk register as “worst case scenarios” that do not paint an accurate picture of the authority’s position.

“Unfortunately it is being used by those who are against Brexit to spread yet more Project Doom scare stories that don’t reflect the council’s position,” the Conservative leader said.

“Instead of coming out with this claptrap, these people should go and lie down in a dark room and come out when Brexit has been delivered. They might be pleasantly surprised to find that the world is still carrying on.

“Dudley voted overwhelmingly for Brexit. Anyone calling for a so-called people’s vote needs to regain their grasp on what democracy is.”

The register, which was revealed through a Freedom of Information request, flags up 27 issues of concern for Dudley.

It says the supply of drinking water could be limited due the short shelf life of imported chemicals, while the provision of school meals may be affected by issues with food supply, and traffic could build up on roads such as the M6 and M5.

Fuel shortages and a potential “disruption” to food imports are also highlighted.

It says: “The potential of a no deal Brexit is predicted to increase in food prices, leading to an increased demand for Foodbanks and a potential fall in donations.”

'Not project fear'

Green Party MEP Ellie Chowns, who wants a second referendum, said: “This is not ‘project fear’ so much as ‘project here’ because the impact on council services will affect thousands of people in Dudley and the surrounding area as they go about their everyday business in these communities.

“At a time when the Prime Minister is saying he would be prepared to impose this kind of Brexit on the British people, the risk register should provide a wake-up call to both politicians and the public.”

In Dudley, 68 per cent of people voted to leave the EU.

It emerged today that Boris Johnson has reiterated to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker that Britain will leave without a deal unless the backstop is “abolished”.

During a phone call on Tuesday evening, the Prime Minister told Mr Juncker that nothing short of reopening negotiations and removing the Irish backstop would be good enough for his Government to consider signing an exit agreement.