Long lines at the border could become the “new normal” after Brexit, tourists have been warned, as a bitter diplomatic row with France erupted over the long delays at Dover. Delays at the French border have been blamed on a shortage of border guards by both Conservative leadership candidates. “The French need to stop blaming Brexit and start obtaining the staff required to match demand,” former chancellor Rishi Sunak said. When asked about the situation, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss cited a “lack of resources at the border” as the reason for her silence.
Diplomats, French officials, and border staff have issued warnings as a result of post-Brexit border arrangements struggling to cope in their first major test since Britain left the EU.As families across the country began their summer vacations, holidaymakers faced long lines at Dover for a second day on Saturday, as well as traffic jams on several major interstate highways. An increasing number of experts have concluded that new rules necessitate that all passports be checked. Minister Clément Beaune of France said yesterday that he and Grant Shapps of Britain were working together on Brexit issues but added: “France is not responsible for Brexit.”
After the government rejected a £33 million bid from the Port of Dover to upgrade the port in order to handle the additional pressures of Brexit, the port’s executives expressed their displeasure. In December 2020, there was only a 0.1 percent grant, instead of the full amount requested. At the time, the port issued a “clock is ticking” warning. “We are still on a knife-edge,” said Roger Gough, the leader of Kent County Council. It only takes a small amount of stress to bring our shaky system in Dover port to its knees. As a result, there is a lot of anxiety about how long this will last.
Ex-ambassador to France, Lord Ricketts, said that Brexit’s bureaucracy would inevitably cause delays. “The short-term tactical problem is the lack of French border force officials,” he said. One analyst says: “This is the first time we’ve seen the full pressure on the border after Brexit.” If the entire French border force were present, there would still be significant delays due to the volume of traffic at Dover port. Given the port’s size and the government’s refusal to fund facility expansions, this will become the new normal regardless of how many ships are stowed in the docks. However, he cautioned, “Of course, the French will be watching this and will say, ‘yet again, we’ve become a political football in the party leadership issue.'”
“This is the time it’s chosen to bite,” Lucy Moreton, a professional officer at the Immigration Services Union, said of Brexit’s impact on immigration. “Because of Brexit, we need to have more checks on passports,” said Pierre-Henri Dumont, a Les Républicains MP who represents Calais. Every passport must be stamped. We need to keep tabs on who is entering the EU. Before Brexit, we didn’t have to deal with this issue. “Brexit is to blame for what we’re experiencing, not the bad face of the French authorities.” He predicted years of chaos if the Port of Dover didn’t undergo a major “transformation.”
The EU’s new entry/exit system is expected to introduce biometric checks, which could lead to longer delays. Talks between the Home Office and French authorities have already begun after warnings that they could result in 17-mile-long lines. Officials are working to minimize the impact of the new system’s implementation, and as a result, the Observer believes that it will be delayed again. People may be forced to leave their cars under the new system, which would necessitate biometric checks. “The EU’s new Entry/Exit System is expected to cause further confusion, disruption, and delays at the UK’s border in 2022, particularly at the Port of Dover,” a report from the House of Commons transport committee stated last month. Getting a grip on this issue is critical for the government. “
According to Anneliese Dodds of Labour, families are stuck in Dover for hours at a time waiting for their family vacation to begin while the Conservatives fight among themselves. Once again, the government has failed to get a grip. “It’s like we have a zombie government that can’t get this mess cleaned up,” said Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson. Families aren’t the only ones affected by the traffic jams at Dover; businesses and workers are also feeling the pinch from the escalating costs. Our economy suffers and our tourism industry suffers as a result of every delay. Tory ministers will bear the brunt of the responsibility.
“Roads in Kent have become extremely congested due to a lack of French border control staff at the Dover crossing, who control the entry to France, and the large number of people travelling this weekend,” said a government spokesperson. We are working with the French government, the Dover Port Authority, the Kent Resilience Forum, and local law enforcement to keep problems to a minimum and help right away. Prior to embarking on any long journey, we strongly advise passengers to check the latest travel advice from their operators and, as with any long journey, ensure they have enough water and food provisions.”
Post comments (0)