It has been revealed that lorry drivers in the UK were each paid stg£550 (€612) to take part in a 'no-deal' Brexit rehearsal.
Plans by the government there to use a disused airfield if there is disruption at the UK border in the event of a "no-deal" Brexit have been criticised, as a trial of the system got under way.
The disused airfield in Kent had its runway used as an HGV holding bay as a test in the event of problems caused by a disorderly exit from the EU.
Opponents of Brexit said the cost of the exercise showed that leaving the EU was "utter nonsense".
Congestion at UK ports caused by customs checks being re-introduced on goods has been cited as among the likely negative effects of a no-deal withdrawal.
'Operation Brock' saw lorries directed along the A256 motorway towards Dover - a 20-mile journey that should take around 30 minutes.
Up to 150 lorries were initially expected to take part, but only 89 were actually involved, the UK's Department for Transport confirmed.
Each driver participating in the exercise was paid stg£550 (€612) meaning the department paid out some stg£48,950 (€54,480).
Ian Murray, a Brutish Labour MP and supporter of the 'Best for Britain' campaign for a second referendum, said the trial was "utterly ludicrous".
"It beggars belief that we are spending tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to create a traffic jam for a dead-end Brexit.
"Future generations will look back at this chaotic moment in our history with bewilderment.
"It demonstrates the utter nonsense that is Brexit, and proves why there must be a people's vote so that we can ask the public if they really want to go ahead with this catastrophic move."
Conservative Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said the plan was "too complex" and would most probably cause "enormous confusion" for drivers.
But Ben Pearce, a driver who took part in the trial, said it "seems to be going quite well".
He added: "It will give them a fair idea how the traffic will behave if they do use the space as a holding bay."
A UK Department for Transport spokeswoman said the exercise was part of the "duty of a responsible government to continue to prepare for all eventualities and contingencies, including a possible no deal" and was aimed at ensuring the system is "fully functional" if needed.
