2024-07-29 13:58:34
The introduction of the automated entry and exit system (EES), expected in the coming months, has raised fears of delays for people traveling to Europe on trains and buses. the railway
The French border police carry out checks for these trips on British soil before boarding.
Seema Malhotra, a Home Office minister, told parliament that the government was “not satisfied with the level of preparations” of the previous conservative government, which lost the general election on July 4th.
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“The program will increase processing times,” he warned, adding that “disruption” is possible when the plan begins.
Explained: What is EES and how will it affect travel
Malhotra announced new steps, including the creation of additional capacity for French border officials at Dover, the main cross-channel port.
He also called on Brussels to take a “pragmatic” approach to the measures that will be used in the case of excessive waiting times, and urged the extension of these beyond the current six-month period to avoid queues at the beginning of 2025.
The government will also work “closely” with France, the port of Dover, the operator of the Eurotunnel under the Channel and the Eurostar train operator, the minister said.
Eurostar said in May that it would be ready as it demonstrated the new technology in London.
A British parliamentary committee said this year that the EES could cause delays of up to 14 hours for passengers.
The new system will apply to all external borders to the EU/Schegen travel zone, but there are serious concerns about the UK-France border.
READ again Why is the UK-France border such a problem for the EES?
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