New border checks delay again at Dover and Folkestone
Fingerprinting and facial recognition checks set to be introduced at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel in Folkestone have been delayed.
The EU is expected to delay introducing new biometric checks in Dover amid fears it could affect travel to next year’s summer Olympics in Paris, The Guardian has reported.
It was originally meant to be introduced in 2022, but it was pushed back to May 2023 and has now been delayed again. The expected moved will be discussed in June by the EU.
This follows after the Transport Delays in the Easter Holiday where motorist were stuck in heavy traffic for hours due to passport checks, many blamed Brexit as the French government have to check and stamp passports manually.
This didn’t happen before Brexit as Brits could just show the passports and go on their journey.
Chief executive of Port of Dover, Doug Bannister told The Guardian “a repeat or escalation of the congestion at Easter would be unacceptable”.
The government also agreed that post-Brexit played a part in the delays.
People on twitter shared their frustration stuck in heavy traffic:
These are scenes at the Port of Dover this morning. Port operators say contingency plans are in place after delays of up to 18 hours last weekend! @AndrewRTDavies is quiet on here today and can’t blame @UKLabour for this! #HumblePie pic.twitter.com/6FMyUlKdaq
— Jeff Smith (@jeffsmith066) April 7, 2023
There was a queue for about an hour for passport checks, waiting in the car was not too bad compare to waiting similar time at airport in a queue. Thanks to putting all the efforts to keep thins moving. #Dover pic.twitter.com/xAasdCSQAV
— Sujit Singh (@sujitsingh) April 7, 2023
With the new proposals, passengers from non-EU countries will have to give four fingerprints and have a photo taken of themselves in front of an officer which will cause further delays.