road’ sites could be used to ease queuing

Plans are underway to utilize off-road sites in Dover to manage traffic queues expected from new border controls set to be implemented in November. Home Office minister Seema Malhotra indicated that these sites could serve as a contingency measure to alleviate congestion, particularly during peak travel times. The new Entry Exit System will require non-EU passport holders to provide biometric data and answer questions at the border, which is anticipated to increase processing times significantly. The Port of Dover, already facing space constraints and long delays, is preparing for the changes by equipping staff with tablets to streamline the data entry process. Additionally, there are plans to fill in a dock to enhance passenger processing capacity by next summer. Local authorities, including Dover District Council, have expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding which off-road sites are being considered for this purpose. As the implementation date approaches, leaders like Roger Gough from Kent County Council are urging the government to make swift decisions on securing these sites to prevent traffic disruptions. The first busy periods following the new system's launch are expected to coincide with Christmas and Easter, raising the stakes for effective planning. In response to potential delays, the EU has indicated that it may allow for reduced checks in certain situations if significant queues develop. This flexibility aims to mitigate the impact of the new border controls on travel and ensure smoother operations at the Port of Dover and other travel hubs.