UNIPA NEWS (London) 12 July-France has agreed to deploy additional border officers at checkpoints in the United Kingdom in an effort to reduce delays caused by the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) during the peak summer travel season.

The agreement was reached between UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and her French counterpart, Philippe Tabarot, ahead of the summer holiday period, as concerns grow over lengthy queues for British travellers entering the EU.

The EES, introduced earlier this year, requires first-time travellers to the EU since its implementation to register their passports, provide fingerprints and facial scans, and submit biometric data. The system is intended to strengthen border security across the bloc.

However, the new procedures have resulted in extended waiting times at several European border crossings and airports. Reports have also indicated that some border points have been collecting initial biometric scans more than once, contributing to additional delays.

Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, British citizens are classified as “third-country” nationals, making them subject to the new entry procedures.

To help ease congestion, the UK government has secured a greater French border presence at EU checkpoints located on British soil, including the Port of Dover, while additional passport booths and processing facilities are being installed.

The government also announced more than £20 million in additional funding to expand passport control infrastructure, on top of £10.5 million previously allocated to reduce disruption at border crossings.

Heidi Alexander said the government is working to ensure travellers experience as little disruption as possible during the busy holiday period. She added that she had also raised concerns directly with the European Commission to encourage cooperation in reducing delays.

Earlier this week, Home Office minister Alex Norris said UK officials had urged France to prioritise the smooth movement of passengers during the summer travel peak while continuing to implement the required security checks.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said both governments agreed that maintaining high staffing levels at border checkpoints would be essential to facilitating smoother journeys for passengers throughout the summer.