The introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) could result in severe delays at major entry points, sparking national concerns.
- Kent officials have expressed fears about the EES causing significant traffic queues, impacting tourism and local businesses.
- The EES is set to require non-EU travellers to undergo a new registration process that replaces traditional passport stamping.
- There are warnings that these changes may disrupt supply chains, affecting both industry operations and consumer experiences.
- Local leaders are appealing for government support to mitigate the expected logistical challenges and delays.
The anticipated implementation of the EU’s new digital Entry/Exit System has stirred apprehension among key stakeholders in Kent, who foresee possible extensive traffic delays at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel borders. This digital system is designed to supersede the current passport stamping method, necessitating that non-EU citizens register by capturing their facial images and fingerprints upon entering the Schengen Area post-Paris Olympics 2024.
Local authorities, including Kent County Council leader Roger Gough, Ashford Borough Council’s Andrew Osborne, and Visit Kent CEO Deirdre Wells, presented their concerns to the EU Scrutiny Committee. They painted a bleak picture of ‘national problem’ due to potential 14-hour traffic queues, which could disrupt the main gateway for UK-Europe transportation and travel. The ramifications of such delays are likely to extend beyond mere inconvenience, threatening to compromise supply chains and disturb the wider community fabric.
Past experiences from the summer of 2022, where tourists endured queues exceeding 15 hours, have led to heightened anxieties over the EES’s impending rollout. Roger Gough emphasized the adverse impact on tourist traffic, suggesting the situation could escalate if mitigation measures are not put in place. He urged for increased funding and collaboration with government bodies, EU member states, and relevant agencies to explore innovative solutions, such as remote registration, to alleviate these potential issues.
Deirdre Wells highlighted the broader repercussions, noting that extended wait times not only affect those journeying to the continent but also deter visitors from travelling to Kent itself, thus impacting local businesses and communities. Her call to action was for a concerted effort to ensure that the system’s introduction is managed as ‘smoothly as it can be’. Such collaboration is seen as vital in addressing not just logistical but also economic challenges that may arise.
The introduction of the EES demands strategic planning and government intervention to avoid excessive delays and economic disruption.
