UK MPs warn of 'utter chaos' at Dover as EU's new digital border checks cause hours-long delays
The EU's Entry/Exit System, meant to replace manual passport stamping, is causing severe delays at the Port of Dover, with MPs warning of 'miles of tailbacks' unless France fixes the technology or suspends checks before peak holiday traffic hits on 17 July.
System rollout and delays
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) entered into force this year, replacing manual passport stamping with fingerprinting and facial recognition for most travelers from outside the bloc. At the Port of Dover, the system has already caused significant disruption. During the May half-term holiday, EES checks led to delays of four and a half hours, and the port expects almost 50% more vehicles to travel through this summer.
Political pressure
The UK Home Affairs Select Committee chair, Karen Bradley, visited Dover last week and warned of impending chaos.
She urged the Home Office to apply maximum pressure on France to either get the system working or suspend checks before peak traffic arrives.We saw for ourselves that there is going to be utter chaos next week unless the French authorities step up.
Technology failures
Dover has installed 84 automatic kiosks at a cost of £40 million, designed to speed up processing, but they remain unused because of problems with the technology supplied by France. The port's chief executive, Doug Bannister, said the facility could not operate due to
The western docks currently serve as a processing centre for coach passengers, but the car traveller facility is closed.the inoperability of the EES kiosk technology, which is completely beyond the control of the port.
EU response
On Tuesday, the EU rejected calls from airports and airlines to suspend the fingerprinting and facial recognition controls. Officials acknowledged 20 "difficult spots" out of 1,500 border crossing points, but insisted the system was functioning elsewhere. The rejection came despite warnings from Dover and other ports about the impact on freight and local towns.
Impending peak
The port's busiest weekend is expected from Friday 17 July, when most UK schools break up for summer. With the kiosks still inoperable and no suspension of checks, MPs fear miles of tailbacks and severe disruption for holidaymakers and freight.
- EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) enters into force, replacing manual passport stamping.
- EES checks cause 4.5-hour delays at Dover during May half-term holiday.
- UK MPs visit Dover, see 84 unused biometric kiosks due to French technology issues.
- EU rejects calls to suspend fingerprinting and facial recognition controls, admits 20 'difficult spots'.
- Peak summer traffic expected at Dover, with almost 50% more vehicles than last year.
