Cars queue at Dover last summer (Image: GETTY)
Britons heading to Europe could face waits of 14 hours or more at border controls under a new scheme, MPs have been told.
The Port of Dover and the surrounding area could be hit by major disruption when the EU Entry-Exit System launches unless measures are introduced to prevent delays, Parliament's European Scrutiny Committee heard.
Ashford Borough Council told the cross-party group that 14-hour queues are a "reasonable worst-case" scenario if the scheme is implemented as planned in October.
Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, Sir Bill Cash, 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.
Powered By
00:00/01:44
10
10
Emily Thornberry predicts general election in May 2024
Share
Next
Stay
"Clearly, this policy could have a very serious impact, not only for tourists and travel operators but also for local businesses.
Trending
"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."
Under the much-delayed scheme, people from non-EU countries will be registered each time they cross a border in or out of the EU.
The Port of Dover and surrounding roads have seen multiple episodes of gridlocked traffic over the past few years, with post-Brexit checks adding to waiting times.
Tourist organisation Visit Kent voiced concerns that delays caused by the new system could have a knock-on effect on local businesses.
Ashford Council warned that 14-hour delays at the port will likely see queues along the A20 and M20, which could block access to staff and tourist traffic at Eurotunnel in Folkestone.
Eurostar said that without upgrades, terminals could see queues of more than an hour at peak times.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Brexiteer calls for urgent action after warning Brits could face 14 hour queues at Dover
134 Comments
Rishi Sunak warns European judges he won't let them stop Channel migrant Rwanda flights
626 Comments
Top Euro court judge compares Rishi Sunak to Vladimir Putin as Rwanda showdown looms
481 Comments
Penny Mordaunt admits that Covid virus China links are now 'an issue of national security'
5 Comments
Penny Mordaunt slaps down Labour as she launches passionate Rishi Sunak defence
57 Comments
Welsh First Minister hopeful sets out what disputed tourist tax will look like in Wales
32 Comments
Lee Anderson urges Tories to unite 'as one' behind Rishi Sunak
131 Comments
Next PM to endure the 'bleakest financial backdrops since the 1950s', warn economists
144 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers blow as his pollster quits warning Tories set 'for almighty defeat'
733 Comments
POLL: Who will you blame most if the Tories lose the next election?
99 Comments
Remoaner Gina Miller sparks fury on Jeremy Vine after claiming Brits want an election
74 Comments
Nigel Farage lashes out at 'left-wing' civil servants after bombshell leak
1386 Comments
Kemi Badenoch breaks ranks with Rishi Sunak over Brexit as leadership speculation mounts
435 Comments
'Brexit betrayal' warning with Rishi Sunak's new deal threatening to tie UK to EU forever
767 Comments
No threat to Valentine's Day roses, No10 says following concerns of border disruptions
12 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson 'f****** clown' in WhatsApp rant during Covid
75 Comments
No10 fails to confirm more funds to stop water firms 'profiting from environmental damage'
19 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon called Boris Johnson a ‘f*****g clown'
11 Comments
'Cheers to Brexit!' Jeremy Hunt under pressure to bring beer duty down to below EU levels
33 Comments
Nigel Farage reveals what his exact goal is if he makes sensational political comeback
267 Comments
Brexiteer calls for urgent action after warning Brits could face 14 hour queues at Dover
134 Comments
Rishi Sunak warns European judges he won't let them stop Channel migrant Rwanda flights
626 Comments
Top Euro court judge compares Rishi Sunak to Vladimir Putin as Rwanda showdown looms
481 Comments
Penny Mordaunt admits that Covid virus China links are now 'an issue of national security'
5 Comments
Penny Mordaunt slaps down Labour as she launches passionate Rishi Sunak defence
57 Comments
Welsh First Minister hopeful sets out what disputed tourist tax will look like in Wales
32 Comments
Lee Anderson urges Tories to unite 'as one' behind Rishi Sunak
131 Comments
Next PM to endure the 'bleakest financial backdrops since the 1950s', warn economists
144 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers blow as his pollster quits warning Tories set 'for almighty defeat'
733 Comments
POLL: Who will you blame most if the Tories lose the next election?
99 Comments
Remoaner Gina Miller sparks fury on Jeremy Vine after claiming Brits want an election
74 Comments
Nigel Farage lashes out at 'left-wing' civil servants after bombshell leak
1386 Comments
Kemi Badenoch breaks ranks with Rishi Sunak over Brexit as leadership speculation mounts
435 Comments
'Brexit betrayal' warning with Rishi Sunak's new deal threatening to tie UK to EU forever
767 Comments
No threat to Valentine's Day roses, No10 says following concerns of border disruptions
12 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon branded Boris Johnson 'f****** clown' in WhatsApp rant during Covid
75 Comments
No10 fails to confirm more funds to stop water firms 'profiting from environmental damage'
19 Comments
Nicola Sturgeon called Boris Johnson a ‘f*****g clown'
11 Comments
'Cheers to Brexit!' Jeremy Hunt under pressure to bring beer duty down to below EU levels
33 Comments
Nigel Farage reveals what his exact goal is if he makes sensational political comeback
267 Comments
Brexiteer calls for urgent action after warning Brits could face 14 hour queues at Dover
134 Comments
Rishi Sunak warns European judges he won't let them stop Channel migrant Rwanda flights
626 Comments
Top Euro court judge compares Rishi Sunak to Vladimir Putin as Rwanda showdown looms
481 Comments
Penny Mordaunt admits that Covid virus China links are now 'an issue of national security'
5 Comments
Penny Mordaunt slaps down Labour as she launches passionate Rishi Sunak defence
57 Comments
Welsh First Minister hopeful sets out what disputed tourist tax will look like in Wales
32 Comments
Lee Anderson urges Tories to unite 'as one' behind Rishi Sunak
131 Comments
High Speed 1, which runs UK high-speed rail services, said that the decision not to enable online pre-registration would "put enormous pressure on infrastructure at St Pancras International".
Downing Street downplayed the likelihood of such lengthy delays.
"I'm not aware of that being something that will happen," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
Related articles Britain to retain thousands of EU laws until at least 2026 'Brexit betrayal' warning with Sunak's new deal threatening to tie UK to EU Kemi Badenoch breaks ranks with Sunak on Brexit as leadership speculation mounts
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial