Dover Queues Build as EU Checks Cause Delays
· news
Brexit’s Unwelcome Guest: Delays at Dover Show EU Checks Still a Work in Progress
Long queues snaking out of the Port of Dover are a familiar sight during the half-term break, but these delays aren’t just typical holiday season congestion. They’re also a symptom of a bigger problem that’s been brewing since the EU’s new border system went live in April.
The Entry Exit System (EES) was designed to streamline travel for those entering the Schengen free movement area. However, at Dover, where most passengers go through French border control before boarding their ferry, biometric information required under EES – fingerprints and photos – is still not being taken from tourists. Instead, border officials are creating digital profiles for each traveler, adding to processing times.
The delays at Dover illustrate how bureaucratic red tape can disrupt even the best-laid travel plans. With an estimated 18,000 cars expected to pass through the port between Friday and Sunday, something needs to change. The Port of Dover has advised passengers to arrive no more than two hours before their scheduled sailing and have all necessary documents ready for inspection.
However, these measures are little more than a sticking plaster on a deeper wound. The root problem lies in the EU’s inflexible approach to border control, which prioritizes efficiency over practicality. Easyjet boss Kenton Jarvis has voiced his frustration with the EES, calling the problems it causes “unacceptable.” His sentiments are echoed by passengers who have already experienced long queues at airports.
Greece’s announcement that British travelers won’t face biometric checks this summer adds to the sense of confusion and frustration. As the travel industry grapples with the fallout from global events, holidaymakers are growing increasingly nervous about their bookings. With demand for trips to popular destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece at an all-time high, many are choosing value and peace of mind over flexibility.
This trend is a clear indication that the EES has created a culture of uncertainty among travelers. The RAC predicts this late May bank holiday weekend will be the busiest in two years, with almost 19 million getaway trips being made. But what about those who have already booked their holidays and are now facing uncertainty? What about the thousands of passengers affected by these delays?
As we head into peak summer season, it’s clear that the EU’s new border system needs a rethink. Until then, travelers can expect more of the same – long queues, frustration, and anxiety. It’s time for the EU to reevaluate its priorities and find a way to balance efficiency with practicality.
The UK’s holidaymakers deserve better than this.
Reader Views
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The EES system's woes at Dover are a stark reminder that Brexit's legacy extends far beyond the politics of sovereignty and trade deals. Its impact on everyday lives – like those of holidaymakers stuck in long queues – is where we should be focusing our attention. A more nuanced approach to border control would prioritize flexibility over bureaucratic neatness, allowing for exceptions to be made when necessary. Instead, we're left with arbitrary rules that leave travelers facing unacceptable delays and frustration. The Port's advice to arrive two hours early is a Band-Aid solution; what we need is a rethink of the EES itself.
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The EU's rigid approach to border control is creating more problems than it's solving at Dover. While passengers are being told to arrive early and have all documents ready, what about those who've already left their cars in the long queues? The Port of Dover's advice on arrival times is little help for those stuck in traffic or trying to park miles away from the terminal. It's time for a more flexible solution that takes into account the practicalities of passenger flow, rather than just prioritizing efficiency.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The EU's new border system is quickly turning into a self-inflicted wound for tourism in the UK and beyond. What's striking about the Dover queues is that they're not just a result of technical glitches or understaffing, but a fundamental mismatch between the EU's rules and the practicalities of modern travel. The biometric checks that are supposed to streamline border control end up creating more complexity than they're worth. It's time for Brussels to rethink its approach and prioritize efficiency over ideological purity.