Warning of strike related delays for travellers to UK on 30 June

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Travellers have been warned to expect delays on arrival at UK ports and airports on Thursday as hundreds of immigration and customs officers are due to join a public sector strike.

The Public and Commercial Services union has called a 24-hour strike beginning on the evening of Wednesday 29 June until the evening of Thursday 30 June. Starting times will vary as each port has different shift patterns. The strike will affect UK Border Agency staff in the UK.

Jonathan Sedgwick, acting chief executive of the UK Border Agency, said: "We will do everything we can to minimise disruption and inconvenience to travellers but our priority will always be to ensure that the UK border remains secure."

People travelling into the UK may experience delays at border control. The impact of the strike will be different at individual ports, airports and international rail terminals. The UKBA has put contingency plans in place and will work hard to keep delays to a minimum.

The UKBA news page advises that 'Passengers arriving in the UK on 30 June can assist us by:

•    having travel documents, including passports, available and taken out of any wallets
•    using automatic e-Passport gates (where available).

Our overseas visa service is not affected by the strike.'

For further information see the UKBA's news and updates page.