The French border control zone at the Port of Dover is set to be expanded in anticipation of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) coming into effect in November,
according to the UK government. This expansion aims to mitigate the risk of long queues during peak times as new regulations are implemented.
Under the EES, travelers from the UK and other non-EU countries will be required to register their details and provide biometric data at the EU border. To facilitate this, Home Office minister Seema Malhotra will present a Statutory Instrument in Parliament on Monday, permitting French border officials to operate within an enlarged zone at the Port of Dover.
The Home Office has committed to collaborating with the French government, local authorities, and businesses to streamline EU border checks at the port. This cooperative effort is part of broader preparations to reduce traffic disruption and ensure efficient passenger processing.
Infrastructure Upgrades at Port of Dover
The Port of Dover has been undergoing significant infrastructure upgrades in preparation for these changes. These enhancements include the construction of bespoke facilities designed to handle the new EES checks. Passport control for passengers arriving to board ferries will be relocated from the Eastern Docks to a new border control zone at the Western Docks.
To accommodate the increased processing requirements, the port will establish 24 kiosks specifically for coach passengers to complete their checks. Additionally, passengers in cars will be registered using agents equipped with tablets.
Anticipating Changes and Minimizing Disruption
Seema Malhotra has emphasized that the introduction of the EES will be a "major change" for the EU border, and the public should be prepared for some queues during peak times initially. However, she assured that Home Office ministers are working diligently to minimize the risk of excessive queue times as much as possible.
As the port prepares for the implementation of the EES, these infrastructure and operational changes are crucial steps towards ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing disruptions for travelers entering the EU from the UK. Photo by DeFacto, Wikimedia commons.