UKBA and Eurotunnel to make freight travel quicker

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has pledged to crack down on illegal immigrants trying to get into the UK by stowing away ontrucks, but insists it will continue to punish operators and drivers caught flouting prevention rules.

Borders and immigration minister Phil Woolas MP and Eurotunnel have signed a joint border security agreement in Folkestone to speed up the passage of legitimate freight into the UK.

"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," Woolas says.

Meanwhile, Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon adds: "Reducing the time spent with frontier controls whileensuring the security of our customers and infrastructure is a vital element of our service."

Under the agreement, the two signatories gave a commitment to using real time traffic management information to minimise queue times. Teams of sniffer dogs are used and heartbeat and carbon dioxide detection machines to detect any stowaways.