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1 April 2009
Life will be made harder for illegal immigrants trying to get across the Channel while genuine holidaymakers and lorry drivers can expect to pass through border controls more quickly.
That was the message put out today by the Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas and Eurotunnel as they signed a joint agreement in Folkestone.
The commitment will affect freight and private cars driving on and off Eurotunnel trains in Folkestone and Coquelles in Northern France. The agreement with Eurotunnel sets out how the Agency will deliver on its commitment to speed up the passage of authorised people and legitimate goods.
Statement from Borders and Immigration Minister
Phil Woolas said, 'The border crossing between France and Kent is one of the toughest in the world.
'We are using the very latest technology to screen high risk individuals and goods while facilitating lawful trade and travel which benefits the UK.'
Last year over 28,000 attempts to cross the Channel illegally were prevented by British officers working for the UK Border Agency in Northern France and Belgium. Over one million lorries were searched during the same period.
Checks are carried out using technology, including machines that can detect heartbeats and carbon dioxide breathed out by stowaways. Teams of sniffer dogs are also deployed.
The service level agreement signed by UKBA and Eurotunnel gives a commitment to using real time traffic management information to minimise queue times.
Statement from Eurotunnel
Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive said, 'Reducing the time spent with frontier controls whilst ensuring the security of our customers and our infrastructure is vital element of our service.'
At ports and airports across the UK other forms of technology are being used to speed up travel for law-abiding passengers. This includes gates that open once the unique features in people’s faces or eyes are verified.
The roll-out of ID cards for foreign nationals and the introduction of fingerprint checks for visa applicants are designed to prevent foreign nationals trying to cheat their way into the UK by using a false identity.
Notes to editors
Forty per cent of cross Channel traffic goes through the Channel Tunnel.
UKBA employs 2,200 staff in Kent and at Channel Ports in France. Eurotunnel employs around 800 staff, and around 800 subcontractors.
Photos of the signing may be available through the UK Border Agency press office – email: adam.edwards@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or call 020 8814 5252 after 2pm on 1 April.
