The introduction of a new digital entry and exit system for tourists in Dover has been paused on the “guidance of French authorities”.
Port officials in the Kent town said the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) was ready to go from Saturday 1 November, but that implementation had been put on hold, adding they were following instruction from French counterparts.
The new system will see third-country nationals, including British tourists, having their fingerprints and photo taken in a bid to ramp up security in the bloc. The measures are in place for all Britons entering the Schengen area, which consists of 29 European countries, mainly in the EU.
For most travellers, the EES checks will take place in foreign airports, but those boarding international services from London’s St Pancras railway station, the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal are required to complete EES checks in the UK.
The new scheme has already been rolled out for ferry passengers in coaches in Dover, as well as coaches and freight. But officials said tourists travelling in cars would not be subject to the checks as planned for the time being.
Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said:“Following the successful go-live for coaches and freight on 12 October, we continue to work closely with our French technology provider and border authorities towards starting the EES process for car passengers.
“Whilst Port of Dover’s facilities will be ready for 1st November, we are being guided by French authorities as to when we will activate. We have asked for a minimum of two week’s notice to start in order to give us time to inform travellers and install the necessary signage.”
It comes after the the phased rollout of the EES was described as a "complete muddle" by the European travel association Etoa, with concerns about a lack of clear information.
The port of Dover has warned it may take cars six times as long to be processed due to the new border checks. It currently takes the port around 60 seconds to process each vehicle.
Mr Bannister previously said "facilities are all in place" and there "won't be any delays".
When the EES was first conceived, the UK was part of the EU – and there was no expectation that British travellers would be subject to the checks. But under the Brexit deal, Boris Johnson’s government negotiated for UK passport holders to become third-country nationals.
The Independent has contacted the port of Dover for more information.
