Cars to be ‘stacked’ at the Port of Dover to avoid chaos ahead of new EU border rules

This will allow sites near the popular port to hold tourist cars in the event of traffic issues when the strict measures are rolled out.

The ESS scheme will see UK and non-EU travellers having to register at the border by having their fingerprints and photographs taken.

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Previous concerns had warned that roads in Kent would face the prospect of dealing with 15-hour queues, prompting Ashford Borough Council to contact MPs on the European Scrutiny Committee.

Ministers are now working with landowners to ensure the sites will be operational when the rules are introduced next year, according to The Times.

Reports also suggest that the measures have been taken from the “no-deal Brexit playbook” amid fears drivers would face hours-long delays when travelling to the port and the continent.

When arriving at the Port of Dover, drivers have to queue in lanes until a border official registers passengers in each car. Estimates suggest it could take at least two minutes per person.

Seema Malhotra, minister for migration and citizenship, said off-road sites were being kept “under review”, allowing the Government to have a contingency plan.

She added: “We continue to work with the councils, the European Union and our French counterparts to make sure we are as prepared as possible so we minimise the risk of long queues, particularly at peak travel times.”

The sites will reportedly be near major roads in Kent, with one source telling The Times it could involve “some fields that could have matting on them”.

It is believed that Folkestone Port will see drivers get out of their cars and register at a terminal in a hangar, reducing the risk of dealing with long queues before travelling on to France.

Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council, said ministers would need to make “very urgent decisions” to ensure motorists are not held up when trying to get across the Channel.

At the end of August, the Government pledged £10.5million in funding to prepare for the incoming EU border checks at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel.

The money will be used to help avoid queues and disruption, with each port receiving £3.5million. It will also help the areas install the required technology to deal with the checks.

Work at the Port of Dover will include the Granville Dock Project, where the existing marina at the Western Docks will be infilled and used as a site for EES processing.

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Commenting on the funding, Emma Ward, chief operations officer at the Port of Dover, said: “The funding is a welcome step towards the significant investments we are making to support government plans to prepare for the introduction of the EU’s EES scheme.

“We are doing all that we can to be ready with the facilities that will be used by French border officials operating the new system whilst we continue to work with the UK government to deliver more seamless travel between the UK and EU.”