Spain’s
government announced on Tuesday it planned to introduce a “fast lane” for
workers resident in Spain with jobs in Gibraltar in a bid to reduce traffic
queues at the border to the tiny British Overseas Territory.
The
measure, which follows the EU recommending both sides work to ease traffic flow
at the frontier, is designed to limit disruption for commuters who travel to
Gibraltar each day for employment.
Spain’s
Tax Administration Agency said it would spend 5.3 million euros to establish
the “fast lane” using bar code readers and turnstiles to check passes issued by
those who could prove they are resident in Spain but have regular work in
Gibraltar.
An
estimated 6,000 workers cross the border into Gibraltar each day.
Gibraltar’s
government immediately criticised the plans as not going far enough, claiming
freedom of movement should be a privilege enjoyed by all.
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