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Travellers to Europe unaware of likely EES disruption before delay

UK travellers to Europe remain largely unaware of the likely disruption and delays at the border when the EU launches its delayed biometric Entry/Exit System (EES).

That is according to local government and industry leaders who warned last week of a “communications problem”.

Councillor Kevin Mills, leader of Dover District Council, told the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee: “Without EES we see Dover gridlocked several times a year. Add EES and it will be gridlock on steroids.”

He noted the Department for Transport (DfT) “is saying to expect delays of up to 14 hours” and added: “There is a communications problem with the DfT. We’ve had no interaction at all with them, no dialogue.”

Mills argued: “We think we can deal with the coaches. We don’t think there will be a problem with freight, which is mostly EU. But cars we have a problem with. The key question is what will happen with cars.

“We’re well aware of the situation. I’m not sure a lot of travellers are.”

John Keefe, chief corporate and public affairs officer of Getlink Group which operates Eurotunnel, told the committee a detailed communications plan was promised ahead of the introduction of EES but “has not been launched”.

That meant “a coherent communications plan has not been possible”, he said, adding: “This is an EU project. We’re frustrated at being unable to communicate in the UK.”

Gareth Williams, general secretary and chief strategic partnerships officer at Eurostar, said: “The message in the summer was ‘We need to get through the summer getaway and the Olympics, but after that the communications [about EES] will be cranked up’. It didn’t happen.

“As soon as we were through the Olympics, it was clear there would be a delay.”

The EU had targeted November 10 as the launch date for EES, but confirmed a postponement earlier this month after member states France, Germany and the Netherlands made clear the technology would not be ready, having not been sufficiently tested.

A promised communications campaign in advance of a launch has not yet materialised.

Williams argued: “Communications are essential. We’ve probably done as much as we can to mitigate the effects [of launching EES]. We do regular customer surveys and see increased awareness, but it remains relatively low.

“The responsibility lies with the EU but those most affected will be UK travellers.”

He said: “We’ve developed communications based on what we learned communicating during Covid. But there is no point pressing ‘Go’ on them until we can communicate with certainty.”

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