Toyota to shut Burnaston plant a day early as Kent lorry chaos hits parts supply
Toyota is set to close its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire a day early after border delays brought on by the mutant strain of Covid-19 brought chaos to Dover.
The Burnaston plant was supposed to shut on Christmas Eve until January 4, but will now close on Wednesday after Toyota said the stalemate at Dover will mean parts shortages to the vehicle plant.
The car giant will also close its engine plant in Deeside, Wales, from today (December 22).
A statement said: “In light of the traffic bans that a growing number of countries have issued for travel throughout Monday from the UK and due to the uncertain nature of how long the borders will be closed for logistics activities.”
The statement added: “[The decision] is to ensure the safety and security of our employees and all our stakeholders, particularly our logistics partners and in consideration of society’s wider needs.”
French president Macron closed the border to the UK on Sunday evening over fears that the fast-growing mutant strain might reach the Continent’s shores. The entire EU has now closed its land borders to UK freight which is accommopanied by a human, with huge queues growing on Kent’s roads.
