'Critical issues to overcome' ahead of new EU border rules, govt warned
Kent’s transport and tourism authorities – including the Port of Dover– have urged the government to ensure an orderly response to impending new EU border rules, and have called on ministers to get together with Eurostar to discuss reopening its other international railway stations.
Local leaders are stepping up their pleas for an seamless transition when the EU’s entry-exit system (EES) takes effect later this year, along with the Etias visa waiver programme, which is now expected to come into force in 2025.
EES is an automated IT system which will require travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries to submit to biometric checks at the EU’s external borders. Etias, meanwhile, is a €7 (£6) US Esta-style scheme, which will allow nationals from 60 visa-exempt countries to stay in Europe for up to 90 days in a six-month period.
Demands for a smooth implementation of the new EU border rules come after the House of Lords’ Justice and Home Affairs committee, earlier this week, raised concerns about the UK’s readiness for the changes, warning of potential delays at the border.
“We have some critical issues to overcome, not least the EU entry-exit system in the short-term, and climate change,” said Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister.
"But with the right collaboration between industry and government, we can ensure we have the tools to deliver the smartest, most seamless and sustainable travel long into the future, supporting the economy of Kent and the nation as a whole."
Tourism and travel bosses have also called for new border systems to be digitised to improve traffic flows and resilience, and for Eurostar services to resume calls at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International railway station, which were axed during Covid and are set to resume no earlier than next year.
"I urge the current and future government to work with Eurostar and explore what options are feasible to provide greater resilience in our transport system by using the facilities at Ashford and Ebbsfleet,” said Visit Kent chief executive Deirdre Wells.
John Keefe, chief corporate and public affairs officer for Channel Tunnel operator Getlink Group, added: "As the main route for inbound tourists from the continent, Eurotunnel will ensure that, even as borders become more complex, travel into and out of the county will continue to be easy and fast moving.
"Major investments in border technology mean that traffic will flow through our terminals smoothly and efficiently, without additional queuing time. Smart borders mean smooth travel and open roads for everyone."
Reopening Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations is not a given, though; last year, Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenove told TTG reopening the regional stations would jeopardise the number of passengers it can process at major terminals such as London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord.
"We cannot afford to reopen direct services to Disneyland Paris, as well as the stations in Kent, because we need so many resources already in the main stations," she said last October.
New research presented by Kent County Council suggests a failure to restart international rail services from Kent could cost the local economy as much as £75 million and 30,000 jobs by 2040.
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Ilaria Grasso Macola
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