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Austrian border fence with Slovenia to contain gap due to land ownership issues

Xinhua, December 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

The fence Austria has begun building on its border with Slovenia to help control the influx of refugees will contain an 8.1-meter gap due to a land owner not giving permission to have it constructed on his property, The Oesterreich newspaper reported Thursday.

The Interior Ministry said in response to the development that it will use other "technical and border control measures" to maintain security at that particular site.

The 3.7 km long, 2.5-meter high fence based at the border town of Spielfeld is to be completed before the end of the year. The ministry said the fence is designed to ensure an "orderly crossing" of the border by refugees, and takes their safety into consideration.

It is to include "orientation and calming" measures such as a communications and guidance system that will begin on the Slovenian side of the border, including large screens communicating waiting times and other information to refugees.

The ministry said it will incorporate the latest in crowd management know-how as is used during large concerts or sporting events.

The border crossing is said to be able to cater for up to 11,000 people per day.

While the present winter weather has slowed the influx of refugees at the Spielfeld site considerably, the ministry believes numbers will pick up again by spring next year. Endit