The impending European Union travel requirements have once again been highlighted for their potential negative impacts in a recent hearing of the UK Parliament’s EU Scrutiny Committee. Witnessing before the committee were the Leader of Kent County Council (KCC) Roger Gough, the Head of Economic Development at Ashford Borough Council Andrew Osborne, and the Chief Executive of Visit Kent Deirdre Wells, who emphasized the wide-ranging effects on those living in Kent County.
Kent, as the closest county to continental Europe, boasts 15 border points, where travelers are expected to face up to 14 hours of waiting times due to the upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This will significantly impact local communities, particularly in Dover, as well as the economy and travel for businesses near the borders.
In a press release from the Ashford Borough Council, it was stated that a worst-case scenario could see queues of up to 14 hours, causing serious consequences for local communities. The Leader of KCC Roger Gough echoed these concerns, recalling the 15-hour waiting periods in the summer of 2022 and warning that the impact of EES on tourist traffic crossing the short straits could be much worse.
This hearing follows a previous one on January 25, during which various parties presented written evidence, expressing concerns about the negative impact on the economy and travel for local citizens near the borders as well as businesses. The witnesses have called on the UK to increase funding to deliver resources for traffic management and to work with operators, infrastructure owners, EU governments, and the Commission to make remote registration possible, reducing delays at the borders. It is clear that the new EU travel requirements have the potential to cause significant disruption and hardship for both travelers and local communities, and urgent action is needed to address these potential issues.
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