UK Government Allocates £10.5m to Ports for Enhanced EU Biometric Border Checks

The UK Government has announced a £10.5m funding package to help UK ports prepare for the upcoming EU biometric border checks. This funding will enhance facilities and technology at key locations, including the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, and St Pancras station in London for Eurostar services.

The Entry/Exit System (EES), set to launch on November 10, will require travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK, to undergo biometric checks, such as fingerprint scanning and photo capture. The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £3.5 million to each of the three UK sites to help mitigate potential delays and disruptions.

Migration Minister Seema Malhotra emphasized the government’s efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the new system, working closely with the European Commission and member states. The additional funding aims to reduce the risk of long queues and ensure efficient processing as EES checks are implemented.

The funding is part of a broader strategy to minimize disruptions at UK ports as they adapt to the new EU border requirements. This preparation is crucial, as the EES will significantly alter how travelers enter EU member states, with the biometric data stored for up to three years.

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on traffic and queues, especially at the Port of Dover, which is geographically constrained by the white cliffs. However, officials are confident that the new facilities and technology will help manage the increased demand and ensure a smooth travel experience for those crossing the border into the EU.

Migration Minister Seema Malhotra visited the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the upcoming EU border changes. She acknowledged that the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will significantly shift. Still, she assured the UK works closely with the European Commission, member states, and ports to minimize disruptions for British travelers heading to Europe. She emphasized that the additional £10.5 million funding will equip UK ports with the necessary technology and processes to ensure smooth EES registration.

The UK Government is providing this financial boost to help ports prepare for the new EU biometric checks, which will be introduced on November 10. The EES will require non-EU travelers, including those from the UK, to undergo biometric checks such as fingerprint scans and photographs. The funding will upgrade facilities and technology at the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, and London’s St Pancras station for Eurostar services.

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of long queues once the EES is implemented, particularly at these sites where French border checks are conducted before travelers embark on cross-Channel journeys. The Port of Dover, the Channel Tunnel, and St Pancras International are working on expanding their facilities to prevent delays.

Each of the three ports will receive £3.5 million to help avoid potential bottlenecks and improve travel experience. These sites are the only UK locations with “juxtaposed controls,” meaning the French border is effectively located on UK soil. The EES will require all travelers entering the EU to provide biometric data, which must be collected and verified by EU border officials. The ports invest in new infrastructure and technology to manage this process efficiently.

At the Port of Dover, part of a marina is filled in to create more space for EES processing. The funding will also add kiosks for Eurotunnel and Eurostar passengers and recruit and train additional staff before the EES launch. While concerns about long queues have been raised, particularly in Kent, officials are confident that the new systems will help manage the increased demand.

The Eurotunnel, operated by Getlink, has already invested over £70 million in new EES zones on both sides of the Channel to ensure smooth travel. St Pancras and Eurostar have also installed EES kiosks and created overflow areas to manage peak times. Despite the challenges, UK ports are working hard to fully prepare for the new system and ensure minimal disruption for travelers.

Kent County Council has expressed concerns about potential gridlock and its impact on cross-border traffic, urging continued action to mitigate these risks. The Port of Dover, in particular, is focused on ensuring it is ready for the EES despite its location’s constraints. The goal is to make the transition to the new EU border checks seamless.

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