Britain’s freight drivers and holiday makers are being warned they could face 14-hour queues unless the government gets a grip on the introduction of new EU border checks.
Nichola Mallon, Logistics UK’s Head of Trade & Devolved Policy warned that “time is running out” and that there was an “urgent need” for the government to share its modelling on EU Entry/Exit System (EES) congestion at the UK’s ports.
“We understand that it couldn’t be shared during the pre-election period,” said Mallon. “But we’re now past the election, so it’s essential that the scenario planning and data are shared as a matter of urgency.
“If lorries are bringing GB exports across, which are perishable goods, every hour that they sit in the back of the lorry means a shorter shelf life and the lower its value, and the increased risk of wastage.”
Responding to the Monday 29 July announcement that the government is legislating to enable French border officials to process passengers at the expanded Western Docks in the Port of Dover ahead of the planned autumn introduction of the EU’s EES, Mallon added: “The Short Straits is a critical UK-EU supply chain route and anything that helps ease congestion at the Port of Dover is to be welcomed.
“A quarter of all food imported into the UK from the EU passes through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, and delays at the border have knock-on effects which can disrupt supply chains nationwide.
“The increase in the border zone area will help with the flow of traffic within the port, but with the system set to be rolled out without the availability of an app or web-based registration system, similar to “online check in” which everyone is familiar with nowadays, queues and delays at peak periods are inevitable.
“It is now critical that the government does all it can to secure a phased approach to the planned implementation of EES this autumn, and that industry gets clarity on what mitigations will be put in place to reduce congestion and disruption.
“The industry also needs confirmation on the date when the registration app will be ready and rolled out.
“The logistics industry is still pressing government to share its data analysis and scenario modelling with key strategic partners as an urgent priority. This will enable partners on the ground and industry to coordinate planning and response efforts, and government must provide sufficient resources to flex up the response as needed so that the nation’s supply chains are protected.”
