TOURISTS could face mammoth queues of 14 HOURS or more at new border controls, MPs have been told.
Travellers heading into the EU could see wait times increase significantly under the new scheme to enter and exit the European Union.
The warning came from Ashford Borough Council which said the 14-hour delay was a “reasonable worst case” scenario.
Severe hold-ups at the Port of Dover have been raised when it is implemented – set for October this year.
They added that without “useable systems” being installed there would be major disruption in the area hitting the local economy and disrupting lives for local residents.
Major knock-on effects in the south east of England have been issued with major queues which could hit staff and tourist traffic at the Eurotunnel at Folkestone.
Eurostar said that there could be queues of more than 60 minutes unless upgrades are put in place
High Speed 1 – who run the high speed rail services – said enormous pressure would be put on St Pancras International where Eurostar trains leave for France.
They said: “Achieving an acceptable level of service on day one in all EU member states is likely to be impossible”. A mobile app is needed, they say, to avoid “severe disruption”.
VisitKent, the tourist organisation, said there would be a major impact on the local economy in the same way as Operation Brock put in place to manage cross-Channel heavy traffic.
More than half of respondents to their survey said it would impact footfall and 38 per cent raised concerns about travel disruption.
The evidence was submitted in written form to the European Scrutiny Committee.
The new post-Brexit requirements will see Brits giving their fingerprints and their faces scanned before being allowed to set foot on the continent.
Personal details will also have been handed over before travel including health conditions and a travel itinerary before a permit to travel is granted.
The EES scheme – set to cost around £6 – will allow the EU to verify if Brits are staying in EU countries for more than their allowed time.
Under the rules, they must not break the 90-day stay rule in any given 180 days.
Sir William Cash, chair of the committee, said: “Queues of more than 14 hours; vehicles backed up along major roads; businesses starved of footfall: this evidence paints an alarming picture of the possible risks surrounding the Entry-Exit System’s implementation.
“Clearly, this policy could have a very serious impact, not only for tourists and travel operators but also for local businesses. I implore decision makers on both sides of the Channel to take note of this evidence.
“The scheme is due to be implemented in October this year; the clock is ticking, and these issues must be urgently addressed.”