New Brexit checks will cause vast delays to tourists entering the EU unless a new agreement is brought in, the head of the Port of Dover has claimed.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, said UK tourists should expect significant tailbacks when new rules come into force in the autumn.
While a new system is being discussed between the British and French governments, Mr Bannister warned no new infrastructure or technology has been implemented at the port.
From the autumn, Brits travelling to the EU will be required to provide biometric data.
Unlike airports, there is no electronic system to check passports and biometric data as well as scan faces upon entry at ports.
Mr Bannister told the MailOnline: “We have nine months to design a process to identify and implement technology and come up with a regulation that works, and invest in any infrastructure and other investments that we need to.
“It feels a very short period of time to get that all done. It probably could get done, but what needs to unlock is the UK government speaking directly with French counterparts and wider in the European Union about how we're going to create a solution for this.
“If there isn't a solution, we could well wind up having significant queues for both tourists and freight.”
Not only will the new checks potentially delay Brits travelling for holidays abroad but it could also disrupt the process which moves £144billion a year via freights.
Mr Bannister also warned the new checks could jeopardise the safety of travellers as they may have to leave their cars at night.
He added: “There's no solution, no process, nothing that's been designed for a car load of people going through a busy ferry terminal on a dark night... Given the constant motion of this port and how busy it is, with trucks and caravans and coaches and cars, motorcycles, bicycles, we just can't have people get out of their car, because that would be highly dangerous.”
This month, Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle in East Sussex, claimed potential setbacks could be a disaster for the local economy and the UK’s trade.
Trade body, Logistics UK had also warned the fresh checks could cause setbacks of up to 17 miles at the vital port.
The Government has claimed it is working with French counterparts to find a solution to the port.
