From Monday, travellers crossing the Polish border from Lithuania and Germany must face serious difficulties. The government has decided to Restoration of random border controls, putting all personnel on full alert. The aim of these activities is to seal borders and to reduce the illegal movement of migrants, which has a direct impact on the home safety of the country. Unfortunately, the consequences for drivers and another travellers will be long traffic and extended travel time. The Lower Silesian services have already published concrete recommendations to improve procedures, but it is crucial to prepare for travel. The fresh rules will affect not only drivers, but besides pedestrians, cyclists and train passengers, making crucial changes in the regular functioning of the Schengen area in this section.
Where and erstwhile to anticipate control? Details for travellers
The renewed border checks will begin on Monday and will be implemented at respective key points in Lower Silesia. 3 fixed locations where the Border defender will verify the documents, Jędrzychowice, Zgorzelec and Sieniawka. In these locations, checks will be carried out utilizing peculiar containers and alleged Schengen-buses to improve the process. On the A4 motorway in Jędrzychowice, it is expected to narrow from 2 lanes to one, which will surely slow down traffic. The Border defender will choice suspicious vehicles and drive them to the side for more detailed verification.
In addition to the fixed points, the checks will besides be of an ad hoc nature and will be conducted in another passages specified as Porajów, Radomierce, Pieńsk or Bielawa Dolna. At these locations, the Border defender will be supported by soldiers. The Lower Silesian Voivodeship Anna Żabska assures that although the aim is to strengthen security, the precedence remains provision of border traffic liquidity and respect for rights legally crossing the border. "The actions will be planned and implemented in specified a way that they do not interfere with the regular functioning of persons crossing the border legally and regularly", the voivode emphasises, pointing to a delicate balance between safety and freedom of movement in the Schengen area.
Essential papers and applicable guidance for drivers
In order to maximise cross-border travel and avoid unnecessary delays, the services call for appropriate preparation. The most crucial component is having it with you. valid identity document: ID card or passport. Major Margaret Dolot of the Trans-Zalzański branch of the Border defender makes it clear that the popular app mCitizen will not be sufficient to verify identity at the border in this case. Third-country nationals, i.e. from outside the European Union, must besides have a valid residence permit, which entitles them to stay in Poland.
Practical experiences of local governments from border areas indicate that respective simple habits can importantly accelerate control. The Provincial Anna Żabska advises that as you approach the border point, lower the windows in the carEspecially if they're dim. This allows services to rapidly measure the situation in the vehicle. In addition, in the face of expected traffic jams, the service recommends supplying supply of water, fuel and food. Starosta zgorzecki Artur Bielinski calms down that in utmost situations the service is prepared to supply water to travellers, but same preparation is crucial. It is worth remembering that nearly half of the people who are “turned back” from the German border are citizens Ukraine authorised to reside in Poland but without the right to decision freely in the Schengen area, which underlines the importance of having the applicable documents.
How to avoid traffic and plan a journey across the border?
For thousands of Poles commuted regular to work in Germany, fresh checks mean a crucial increase in travel time. It is estimated that about 150 1000 Poles, including 20 1000 from the territory itself, regularly cross the border. The inhabitants of Zgorzelec are already expressing their concerns due to the fact that the city is under siege erstwhile drivers flee the corked A4 to cross the John Paul II Bridge. Services foretell that the longest traffic will be created in the afternoon and before weekends, i.e. during return hours from work and leisure trips.
To minimize the hazard of being stuck in a blockage, the service advises that plan your journey at no truck traffic times. These are: Friday between 6:00 and 10:00, Saturday between 8:00 and 14:00 and Sunday between 8:00 and 10:00. During these periods the traffic of dense goods vehicles is limited, which may translate into greater fluidity. Lower Silesian Voivodeship besides suggests choosing little popular border points. alternatively of focusing exclusively on Jędrzychowice and Zgorzelec, it is worth considering crossing Sieniawka, Porajów or Radomierce. Information on possible obstacles and queues will be displayed on the GDDKiA electronic boards on the A4. Additionally, it is worth installing the Regional informing strategy (RSO) application, which provides up-to-date information on the situation at the border and possible detours, which will let for dynamic adjustment of the route.
Checks for pedestrians, cyclists and trains – what changes?
The fresh rules on border controls do not apply solely to car drivers and trucks. The services stress that inspections besides apply to pedestrians, cyclists and train travellers. This is key information for all who usage alternate forms of cross-border transport. The RMF FM reporter found that trains would not be stopped at the border for inspection. Instead, verification of papers will take place when travelling, straight in train composition. This means that passengers should have their papers in an easy accessible place and be prepared for inspection at any time of crossing the border.
In the context of increased activities at the border, to guarantee safety and fast consequence as needed, the staff of the Medical Rescue Teams in the border area were besides strengthened. This additional safety is designed to minimise the possible negative effects of increased traffic and possible congestion. All these measures are intended to guarantee that, despite the return of control, the movement of people and goods remains as liquid as possible, while effectively pursuing operational objectives related to State security.
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The border checks are returning. Prepare your papers, avoid traffic!
