A Government survey has revealed that 15% of people in England are likely to reconsider their trips to continental Europe due to new upcoming EU border checks. The Department for Transport‘s poll, which involved 1,584 individuals aged 16 and above, highlighted concerns about increased queuing or document checks when leaving the UK as a result of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Furthermore, 20% of respondents admitted they would either cancel or delay ferry travel to the area if new system-related delays exceeded an hour. Set to enhance border security, the EES is slated to be implemented on October 6.
Non-EU nationals, including those from the UK, will have to undergo biometric registration – including fingerprinting and a photograph – upon first entry into an EU member state, with this information being retained for three years. Anxiety is mounting over potential bottlenecks at key UK points like Dover Port, Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal, and St Pancras station, where French border controls are conducted pre-departure.
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Phil Smith, UK coach manager at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, emphasised the importance of UK ports being prepared to prevent significant hold-ups: “It is vital for coach passengers and the sustainability of coach travel to Europe that UK ports make sure that systems are in place so that the EU’s new Entry and Exit system does not cause long delays when it comes into force in October.”
He continued: “UK coach companies travelling to Europe generate significant amounts of revenue for the UK economy and for the countries to which people travel by coach – more than £14 billion every year from around 23 million individual coach trips.”
He explained that the CPT has ‘worked hard’ with port authorities to make sure checks for coach passengers will be ‘swift and efficient’. He also stressed the need to prevent congestion around ports with efficient checks.
Mr Smith also highlighted the need for the Government to prioritise safety and security while ensuring British travellers fully understand how the checks will impact travel. He said: “We do advise travellers to be prepared in case of delays on their first trip to any of the 29 European countries involved in the new system as they will need to have their fingerprints and facial images taken.”
Mr Smith continued: “We understand that people can be hesitant to travel if they expect delays, however, with this information valid for the next three years of travel, we then hope to see the use of automated border control checks and self-service systems increase the speed of processing times and improve the overall experience for all travellers so we do not think it should discourage people from travelling.”
He said that border officials expect the EES to be a ‘small addition’ to the travelling process, with ‘minimal impact’ on travellers. He recommended that those looking to travel, particularly by coach, book via their local travel agent who will be able to ensure they are ‘fully compliant’ with the new system.
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