Plans in place to manage the new EES checks from October 12

Plans are in place to manage the phased beginning of a new border control system being introduced by the European Union (EU).

From 12^th October increasing numbers of ferry and channel tunnel passengers with British passports will be required by the EU to undergo additional passport and biometric checks for the Entry/Exit System (EES).

The additional checks will be introduced gradually with the first phase only being carried out for freight drivers and coach and foot passengers. EES checks for cars heading to Europe will follow at a later date.

For more information about the new border process and what it means for your journey, please contact your travel operator.

To create more space for this to happen, purpose-built facilities have been constructed by the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.

When checks on car passengers do get underway, travellers arriving at the Port of Dover with a non-EU national in their vehicle will be directed to its new facility in the Western Docks. Ferry passengers will be asked to follow the instructions from their travel operator and pay attention to road signs with flags showing where to go on approach roads into Dover. Once on site, there will be staff on hand to assist with the new border checks.

Eurotunnel has incorporated its new facilities within the existing terminal footprint at Cheriton, and there are no changes to the route that people should follow to get to the terminal. There are clear directions on site and staff available to help if needed.

Due to the gradual phasing in of EES checks, the threat of disruption on the roads to Dover and Folkestone has reduced. However, the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF), a partnership of agencies including Kent Police, Kent County Council, and National Highways is ready to respond to any delays that could occur once checks get underway.

As ever, there are other factors that mean journeys to, or around, the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel can sometimes be disrupted, such as severe weather, strike action or accidents. The KMRF will respond to any incident that could cause delays or disruption to people that live, work and visit Dover and Folkestone.

Having analysed the latest data on the number of expected crossings, combined with the phased introduction of the EU’s EES checks, KMRF partners have decided there is currently no need to deploy Operation Brock on the M20 ahead of 12^th October.

Detailed plans are available in case there is a need to respond to traffic disruption.

KMRF Strategic Lead for border disruption, Simon Jones, said: “We will do everything in our power to reduce the chance of disruption when the EES checks begin. We have well-tested plans to mitigate any incidents or delays that may take place.

“These plans mean we can prioritise keeping the Roundhill Tunnel open, preventing the build-up of traffic on local roads.

“Working with partners we will prioritise effective traffic flow from Kent to Europe, ensuring disruption to communities from traffic congestion is minimised as much as possible whilst making sure people can get to where they need to be as quickly and as safely as possible.”

ENDS

Further information:

The countries in the Schengen area are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. EES is not applicable when travelling to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.