MPs warn of Port of Dover chaos under EU entry system
11 reported
A UK parliamentary committee has warned that the Port of Dover faces severe disruption under the European Union’s entry/exit system (EES) unless technology issues are resolved or checks are suspended before peak summer traffic arrives. The home affairs select committee chair, Karen Bradley, urged the government to pressure French authorities to act on the EES, which has caused delays at the port. A Home Office minister confirmed UK officials are pressing France to prioritize the flow of people during the busy holiday period. The warning follows EU rejection of calls to suspend the system, despite acknowledging “20 difficult spots” where it causes tailbacks. The port’s chief executive warned that without greater flexibility, repeated congestion could affect local towns and trade.
What’s reported
The Port of Dover expects almost 50% more vehicles this summer compared to last year.
EES checks during the May half-term holiday led to four and a half hours of delays.
The port installed 84 automatic kiosks for EES, but they cannot be used due to technology problems supplied by France.
The EU on Tuesday rejected calls to suspend EES fingerprinting and facial recognition border controls.
EU officials said only 20 of 1,500 border crossing points are “difficult spots.”
The home affairs select committee visited Dover last week to observe the port’s layout changes.
The Home Office minister Alex Norris said the government would “push very heavily” for prioritization of flow over compliance.
The port’s chief executive, Doug Bannister, warned of queueing cars spilling onto public highways for miles.
EES was launched last October after years of delays, with a discretionary power for border police to suspend it until September.
The International Air Transport Association highlighted delays in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Belgium.
Ryanair warned of “queue chaos” at airports including Málaga, Alicante, and Palma.
Key figures
Karen Bradley, home affairs select committee chair
Alex Norris, Home Office minister
Matt Vickers, shadow Home Office minister
Doug Bannister, Port of Dover chief executive
Sources: The Guardian
