Holidaymakers ‘face 14-hour queues’ at Dover beneath new border controls, MPs instructed
Holidaymakers may face 14-hour waits at Dover beneath new border controls requiring folks to supply fingerprints and images.
MPs had been instructed that vacationers heading to Europe could possibly be pressured to affix mammoth queues across the Port of Dover when the EU Entry-Exit System launches in October. Ashford Borough Council instructed Parliament’s European Scrutiny Committee that 14-hour queues are a “reasonable worst case” state of affairs if the scheme is carried out as deliberate.
Delays on the port may additionally create lengthy tailbacks, probably blocking entry to the Eurotunnel in Folkestone. Eurostar additionally warned that there could possibly be queues of greater than an hour in terminals at peak instances.
High Speed 1, which runs UK high-speed rail companies, mentioned that the choice to not allow on-line pre-registration would “put enormous pressure on infrastructure at St Pancras International”.
Sir Bill Cash, Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, mentioned: “Queues of more than 14 hours, vehicles backed up along major roads, businesses starved of footfall: this evidence paints an alarming picture of the possible risks surrounding the Entry-Exit System’s implementation.
“Clearly, this coverage may have a really critical impression, not just for vacationers and journey operators but additionally for native companies. I implore choice makers on each side of the Channel to be aware of this proof. The scheme is because of be carried out in October this 12 months; the clock is ticking, and these points should be urgently addressed.”
But Downing Street tried to downplay the risks of delays. A No 10 spokeswoman said: “On a few of these eventualities, rightly we’re not going to get into hypotheticals about delays…. however there are tried and examined contingency plans in place and a variety of work is managed by the Kent resilience discussion board so we are going to be certain that we’re ready and our focus stays on guaranteeing the scheme doesn’t unnecessarily impression native communities or resort in delays for travellers.
“We are working very closely as you would expect with the French, with all the port authorities to ensure that travellers and passengers do not experience unnecessarily delays, that work continues.”
Downing Street additionally sought to reassure Brits there can be no scarcity of pink roses on Valentine’s Day on account of post-Brexit border checks. Labour MP Daniel Zeichner raised considerations within the Commons over the difficulties for importing flowers.
But a No10 spokeswoman mentioned: “I’m sure people will be receiving bouquets of flowers on Valentine’s Day this year.”
