The UK government has announced a £10.5m funding package aimed at preparing key transport hubs for new EU border checks set to be introduced this autumn.
Travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries will now have to register at the border by having their fingerprints and photograph taken.
New kiosks have been specifically designed to accommodate vehicles, unlike those found in airports, which cater to pedestrians. They will capture biometric data, including facial recognition images and may also be used to question travellers about their visit.
The UK government is proactively supporting these transport hubs in upgrading their facilities and ensuring they are fully equipped for the new requirements.
The £10.5m funding will be distributed equally among the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, and Eurostar at St Pancras International, with each receiving £3.5 million to support the installation of new technology and infrastructure upgrades necessary for the EU’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES).
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the UK government and European partners. She assured that, “While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are working hard with the European Commission, member states, and ports to ensure we are well prepared and minimise any disruption for Brits travelling into Europe.”
The funding will facilitate several critical projects across the three transport hubs. At the Port of Dover, the funds will expedite the Granville Dock Project, which involves repurposing the existing marina at the Western Docks for EES processing. Eurotunnel and Eurostar will use their allocations to install additional kiosks, conduct rigorous testing and recruit and train staff to ensure the smooth implementation of the EES.
This funding announcement is part of the UK government’s broader strategy to ensure the smooth introduction of the EES at critical transport hubs, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining efficient and hassle-free travel between the UK and the EU as new regulations come into effect later this year.