BUSINESS NEWS its delay. Ian Taylor reports on a Parliamentary committee hearing last week
UK travellers ‘unaware’ of anticipated disruption
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 “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,
Dover councillor Kevin Mills fears EES will create ‘gridlock on steroids’
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.” Williams argued: “Communications
are essential. We’ve probably done as much as we can to mitigate the effects. 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 learnt communicating during Covid. But there is no point pressing ‘Go’ on them until we can communicate with certainty.”
EES is ‘designed for airports not vehicle passengers’
Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover face unique challenges in implementing the delayed EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Getlink chief John Keefe told
the Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee: “EES is designed for an airport where people
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are indoors, it’s well lit, they’re weather-protected, it’s comfortable and spacious with plenty of time. “Our model is high-density,
fast-flowing, vehicle-based and we have to get data from people in a car. “So, we’re looking at technology
to capture biometric information in moving vehicles. We would like the capture of fingerprints to be done somewhere else, at a distance via a smartphone. “We hope to make the
most of the delay and bring forward a better system.”
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Mobile app ‘not ready and won’t aid first-time use’
A mobile app touted to enable advance registration with the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) remains unready and is not designed for first-time registration. That is according to John
Keefe, chief corporate and public affairs officer of Eurotunnel parent Getlink. Giving evidence to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee last week, Keefe said: “The possibility of enrolling data away from the point of entry has great value. “[But] it’s not clear when the
app will be available, [and] it’s being prepared for subsequent entry to the EU not first entry and enrolment in the system. It’s targeted at those already enrolled in the system.” Committee chair Lord Foster
asked whether the app “could not be used for the initial capture of data”. Keefe told him: “Initial
enrolment will have to be done at a kiosk. Introduction of the app will speed up subsequent entry. But on first entrance you will have to register and that will be the case for some time.” Eurostar general secretary and
chief strategic partnerships officer Gareth Williams agreed, saying: “In the first phase, the app won’t be able to do anything with fingerprints. That will remain at the kiosk.”
Gareth Williams
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Milan Sommer
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