The tightened border control between Germany and Poland has impacted local businesses and people's life in the small Polish town of Zgorzelec, which is separated by the Neisse River from Germany's Gorlitz. Germany has carried out strict border measures since September 2023, while the Polish side also started to take similar measures from July 7 this year, citing a rise in illegal migration and broader security concerns. Zgorzelec has around 31,000 residents, with about a third of them crossing the river to work in Germany. The stricter border control measures have not only prolonged people's commuting time, but also affected local transport companies like Citronex Trans Energy that has plants in both countries. Krzysztof Sobczuk, sales and marketing director of the company, said that at present, three-hour delay in cross-border traffic has become the norm, leading to a significant drop in profits. Rafal Gronicz, mayor of Zgorzelec, said that the current measures taken by Poland and Germany to control the flow of migrants are not only costly but also ineffective. Noting that the issue of illegal immigration should be addressed outside the Schengen Area, Gronicz said if the measures continue, residents of both countries will have to pay the price. Most of the residents in Zgorzelec and local business societies have expressed their opposition to border control, noting that the difficulties brought by it will ultimately affect the unity within the Schengen Area. Shotlist: Zgorzelec, Poland - Recent: 1. Building, river; 2. Reporter talking with business executive; 3. Various of truck taxiing, getting out of garage, moving on road; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Krzysztof Sobczuk, director, sales and marketing department, Citronex Trans Energy (starting with shot 3/ending with shot 5): "The situation is that the Polish government decided to make control on the border. Now it's a little bit worse situation because now we have huge queue in both sides, especially on Monday and Tuesday, when this rush increases dramatically. So, sometimes the queues are for many kilometers from borders, inside Poland or inside Germany. So we feel that 20 to 25 percent of our income has decreased for now."; 5. Various of police officers on duty, road barriers; 6. Various of Rafal Gronicz, mayor of Zgorzelec, working; 7. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Rafal Gronicz, mayor of Zgorzelec (ending with shot 8): "I'm well aware that many German entrepreneurs are not satisfied with the border inspections implemented by their country, and they are also complaining about the measures taken by the Polish side. In any case, eventually someone has to foot the bill -- usually the consumers, who need to pay a higher price for goods."; 8. Various of pedestrians on bridge; 9. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Tomasz Strykowski, chairman, Association of Employers of Zgorzelec: "As an entrepreneur and resident, I'm worried that this is the beginning of the disintegration of the Schengen Area. It may have more serious consequences for the European Union in the future."; 10. Various of cyclists, pedestrians on bridge. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]