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Vacationers heading to Europe may face waits of as much as 14 hours at border controls underneath a brand new scheme because of come on this October, MPs have been advised.
The Port of Dover and the encompassing space might be hit by main disruption when the EU Entry-Exit System launches until measures are launched to forestall delays, parliament’s European scrutiny committee heard.
Ashford borough council, accountable for Dover, advised the committee that 14-hour queues had been a “affordable worst case” state of affairs if the scheme is carried out as deliberate later this yr.
The brand new controls will imply individuals coming into the EU should register their fingerprints and {a photograph} alongside their passport.
The Port of Dover and surrounding roads have seen a number of episodes of gridlocked site visitors over the previous few years, with post-Brexit checks including to ready instances.
The vacationer organisation Go to Kent voiced considerations that delays brought on by the brand new system may have a knock-on impact on native companies, which has been the case throughout earlier intervals of disruption.
Ashford council mentioned 14-hour delays on the port would probably result in queues alongside the A20 and M20 that would block entry to workers and vacationer site visitors at Eurotunnel in Folkestone.
Eurostar mentioned that with out upgrades, terminals may see queues of greater than an hour at peak instances. Excessive Pace 1, which runs UK high-speed rail providers, mentioned the choice to not allow on-line pre-registration would “put huge strain on infrastructure at St Pancras Worldwide”.
Downing Avenue sought to downplay the dangers of delays. A No 10 spokesperson mentioned: “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 whole lot of work is managed by the Kent resilience discussion board so we are going to be sure we’re ready and our focus stays on guaranteeing the scheme doesn’t unnecessarily affect native communities or end in delays for travellers.
“We’re working very carefully as you’ll anticipate with the French, with all of the port authorities, to make sure that travellers and passengers don’t expertise pointless delays – that work continues.”
The chair of the committee, Sir Invoice Money, mentioned: “Queues of greater than 14 hours, automobiles backed up alongside main roads, companies starved of footfall: this proof paints an alarming image of the attainable dangers surrounding the Entry-Exit System’s implementation.
“Clearly, this coverage may have a really severe affect, not just for vacationers and journey operators but in addition for native companies. I implore choice makers on each side of the Channel to pay attention to this proof.
“The scheme is because of be carried out in October this yr; the clock is ticking, and these points have to be urgently addressed.”
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