New rules which will require UK citizens travelling to Europe to leave a finger print and undergo facial recognition are unlikely to run smoothly – and could even “disturb the public order”, an ally of French President Emmanuel Macron has warned.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete’s concerns about the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) have been echoed by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who fears “big choke points” at Dover and Calais – and “serious delays” as a result.
The EES, which is scheduled to be rolled out in October, will require non-EU passengers to register personal information, including biometric data, at kiosks.
Mr Vergriete believes that these challenges may cause significant problems at busy ports and airports such as Charles de Gaulle.
He told the French National Federation of Aviation and its Trades (FNAM) conference: “I cannot say that we are not working hard to ensure that we are as operational as possible,’ he told the French National Federation of Aviation and its Trades (FNAM) conference.
“I cannot say that collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior is going badly, that would be lying… but I fear problems.”
So concerned is Mr Vergriete about the impact of the new regulations he has even begged Brussels to push back its inception – but believes the prospect of a delay is unlikely.
The scheme has already been postponed until after summer’s Olympic Games in Paris – but Mr Vergriete claimed there was risk of public order being “disturbed” when it was eventually introduced in the Autumn, with “serious operational consequences” for airports.
He added: “I’m even going to ask for a further postponement, but it seems difficult to me to get it from the European authorities.
“We will do our utmost to be on time, and we are all aware that things are not going to run totally smoothly.”
There were “concerns about the number of police personnel and the technology, which could face serious operational problems.”, Mr Vergriete stressed.
Lord Cameron, speaking to Parliament’s European Scrutiny Committee last week, said: “I think it’s clear to me that the technology still needs testing and improving.
“I think we’ve made some progress, but I think there are some big choke points at Dover and St Pancras – and I’m really worried about there being long delays for people.”
Eurotunnel has estimate the average time of processing a car at Dover will increase from less than a minute to seven minutes – partly because travellers will be unable to have their passports checked at windows and will instead have to exit vehicles to use e-gates.
Meanwhile Eurotunnel estimate that the average time of processing a car at Dover will rise from less than a minute to up to seven minutes – partially because visitors will not be able to have their passports checked at windows and will instead need to exit vehicles and use the e-gates.
Speaking to reporters last week, Simon Lejeune, chief stations and security officer at Eurostar, attempted to downplay concerns, saying: “We are confident it won’t be a s***-show, because we have got the right set-up.
“We are not going to ask our customers to arrive earlier.”
However, Brexiteer Robert Oulds, director general of the Bruges Group think tank, was indignant at what he perceived as restrictions on the free movement of British citizens when it came to travelling to Europe,
He told Express.co.uk: “Freeborn Englishmen have a very different culture to those on the continent. This is an affront to our dignity.”
