Motorists travelling to Dover could soon be directed to “car stacking” sites while waiting to board ferries as part of efforts to prevent gridlock at the port when new EU entry rules come into effect this November.
With the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU passengers to have their fingerprints and photo taken upon first entry into the Schengen area, the UK government is taking steps to manage potential congestion at the Port of Dover, the country’s busiest port.
In preparation for the anticipated delays, new zones away from the main roads are being set up as overflow areas for port traffic. These “car stacking” sites are being designed to quickly scale up or down depending on traffic levels and may include fields equipped with matting to accommodate vehicles.
According to sources, work has already begun to convert Granville Dock, an unused cargo dock on the western end of the Port of Dover, into a dedicated area with EES checkpoints. However, this site, which spans an area equivalent to five football pitches, is not expected to be ready in time for the system’s first significant test during the Christmas travel season, and it may not be operational until Easter at the earliest.
The proposed stacking sites, intended to hold cars in lanes while passengers are processed by border officials using tablets, will also need approval from French authorities who conduct border checks on British soil. In addition, passengers may face additional scrutiny, including questions about the purpose of their visit, length of stay, financial means, and proof of return journey.
Concerns have been raised about whether the staff at the Port of Dover, which handles approximately 1.3 million cars annually, are fully prepared for these changes. Some sources indicate that port employees have yet to see the technology they will be using to process passengers.
Meanwhile, drivers using the Channel Tunnel will have a separate terminal in Folkestone where they can register, but this location is expected to face less congestion compared to Dover, where space is significantly more constrained.
The UK government has allocated £3.5 million each to the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel in Folkestone, and Eurostar at St Pancras International to help prepare these key transport hubs for the new system.
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, emphasized that the new stacking sites are being “kept under review as a contingency plan” and that the government is working closely with local councils, the European Union, and French authorities to minimize the risk of long queues, particularly during peak travel times.
As the EES rollout approaches, motorists are advised to stay informed about potential changes to their travel plans and to prepare for possible delays as these new measures are implemented.
