BRITS will be warned that they need to pack extra food, water and supplies when they go on holiday, as they face the prospect of waiting more than half a day in border queues.
The government is preparing a new public information campaign ahead of rule changes that are predicted to cause huge problems for holidaymakers, when they are introduced later this year.
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Data modelling suggests that at peak times, drivers travelling to France from Dover could be left waiting for as many as 15 hours, as passengers are processed in line with the new rules.
The new system, known as EES, will end the stamping of passports for non-EU travellers entering the European Union, and will be introduced from November.
Instead, passengers’ names, biometric data and the place of entry and exit will have to be checked by border staff.
Brits, along with other non-EU arrivals, will have to provide fingerprints, as well as facial biometrics before they arrive at the airport, ferry port or rail terminal from where they’re due to depart.
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This looks set to cause massive problems for travellers, particularly at Dover, where passengers will be told to come prepared with extra provisions before they travel, according to i.
They claim that “under one scenario being considered by Government planners” delays of up to 15 hours are now expected at the ferry port during the busiest travel times.
They added: “Ministers are understood to be preparing a public information campaign to advise travellers how to prepare.
“It is expected to advise families who could be stuck in cars for hours to ensure they have enough supplies including water, food and nappies when travelling.”
This isn’t the first time passengers have been warned about the negative impact EES will have on queuing times at Dover.
Port chiefs have previously warned that the new system could extend checks from 45 seconds to as much as 10 minutes per person.
Tim Reardon, head of EU exit for the Dover Harbour Board, previously stated: “There is no way of doing a biometric control without getting everyone out of the vehicle.”
Similar warnings have also been made by Kent County Council, which has also said that Brits could face being stuck in 14-hour queues during the busy season, with the Eurostar terminal in London also at risk of huge problems.
Back in January, Neil Baker, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for roads said the Entry/Exit system (EES), set to be rolled out later this year, will cause a “serious mess”.
He told fellow cabinet members on January 4: “I don’t think we can downplay how big of an impact it could well have on Kent and over an extended period.
What the rule changes mean for passengers
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains what the rule changes will mean for you as a passenger.
“THE looming introduction of the long-delayed European Entry Exit System could lead to yet more pain for passengers leaving the UK.
“The new system – designed to strengthen the European borders – will require every passenger to have their biometrics recorded.
“Every traveller will have to scan their passport and have a facial biometric before providing prints from the four fingers on their right hand. Children under 12 will have to do the biometric but will not have to have their fingerprints taken. All will then have to answer four questions about their reason for travel.
“Both fingerprints and facial biometrics will be required the first time a traveller uses the system, and then just one of the two for every subsequent trip. Then every three years you’ll be expected to go through the full process again.
“While airports across Europe have the space to add this additional process it is still going to add a huge amount of extra time to the customs checks. Although it will remove the need to have stamps in your passport, everything will still need to be checked either by a border officer or an e-gate.
“Where things could get really bad are at ports like Dover – where there are significant space constraints and multiple individuals will be travelling together in cars and coaches.
“Both Eurostar and Le Shuttle have invested millions in new facilities to process passengers but it is almost inevitable that the first few months of the system could lead to lengthy delays as we all get used to the new system.”
“We are not talking about just going into October and there being a bit of a blip and everything will being back to normal.
“I think we have got to be realistic here – we could be looking at the equivalent of three years solid of Brock being in place.”
Operation Brock, originally developed in the event of a no-deal Brexit, is a traffic management system to allow the flow of travelling to and from Dover.
A number of European countries have added to the warnings, raising additional concerns about delays caused by the new EES system.
The Slovenian government has said the new process takes up “up to four times longer” while Austria warned that processing times would “double compared to the current situation”.
Mr Baker also warned that the problems won’t just affect the border in Kent, with the long queues also expected at the Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras.
He added: “It is not just Kent – we are probably going to look at, potentially, 12 to 14 hour queues up at the Eurostar terminal in London. It’s going to be grim.”
Meanwhile, new rules will also require Brits to apply for extra documents before visiting Europe.
And these are the four times you aren’t entitled to compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed.
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