An MP has warned that British travellers could face 12-hour queues at the French border this summer under the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES), potentially leading to fatalities. Sir Roger Gale, MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, said the delays could block ambulances and leave tourists stranded in sweltering cars without adequate water or lavatory facilities.
MP Warns of Life-Threatening Delays
Sir Roger Gale told The Times: 'If you have elderly people, children and dogs in 12-hour queues with no lavatory facilities, inadequate water supplies, somebody will die, somebody will have a heart attack. I'm not over-egging it. This is the stark reality.' He questioned how emergency services could reach those in need, adding: 'How do you get an ambulance through traffic jams like that?'
The MP urged the EU to suspend the system, stating: 'Put the system on ice, get the technology right, make it work and then introduce it properly.'
What Is the EES?
The EES requires non-EU travellers, including British citizens, to provide biometric information such as fingerprints and facial images when entering the Schengen area. It officially became fully operational on April 10, replacing manual passport stamping. However, early trials have faced criticism over significant delays. Just two days after launch, more than 100 passengers missed an easyJet flight from Milan Linate Airport to Manchester due to lengthy passport control queues, which the airline described as 'unacceptable'.
Impact on Port of Dover
The Port of Dover is the UK's busiest ferry port and Europe's busiest passenger ferry terminal. At Dover and the Eurotunnel, checks take place before passengers cross into France, meaning delays can quickly lead to long queues of cars and coaches in Kent. The port's chief executive, Doug Bannister, previously warned that summer traffic could result in serious congestion, with around 12,000 vehicles a day expected. Earlier modelling suggested queues could potentially reach 12 hours in a worst-case scenario, although later estimates placed likely delays at between six and eight hours.
During the May bank holiday, French authorities temporarily paused additional checks at Dover after queues stretched to around four and a half hours.
Government Response
The government has announced extra measures to reduce disruption, including additional French border staff, more traffic management support, and increased capacity at passport processing points. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'We are doing everything in our power to keep holidaymakers and hauliers moving, and we are grateful to the French authorities for their close collaboration in helping to minimise disruption.'
She added: 'We are also investing over £20 million to help improve vehicle flow and increase passport booth capacity at Dover to help reduce delays in future years.' Alexander dismissed Gale's warnings as 'scaremongering', stating: 'This kind of scaremongering helps no one, and it fails to take account of the extensive preparations that have been underway for months.'
Ongoing Concerns
Despite government assurances, concerns remain high as the summer travel season approaches. With 12,000 vehicles a day expected at Dover, the potential for severe congestion persists. Travel experts and local officials continue to call for the EES to be delayed until the technology is fully tested and proven to handle peak volumes without causing life-threatening delays.
