The webpage mentioned has a list of those EES does not apply to.
In each case that residency was mentioned, there was an additional requirement.
I've copied those items relevant to residency below:

- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national
- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen
- Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas

There is no item for residency by itself.
It could be that it is just badly worded, but why be so exact about the extra requirements about needing specific relationships?
It would make the first two items above completely unnecessary.

[ This link is quite clear , if one has a valid TIE ESS doesn't apply
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-i...s%20the%20TIE.

So the EU and UK websites contradict each other.
In this case, with the strange nature of the qualifications given on the EU site, it appears the UK information is much more believable.

I don't think they contradict each other ? The EU link you posted within exemptions include this

Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas

The TIE is a residency permit all be it in card form?

The first two items say you need a residence card permit PLUS some other criteria.
So implying that residency alone is not enough.
To be consistent with this, the other condition should read>
Holders of (residence permits AND long-stay visas)

But as I said before, this appears very badly worded, and though it is the official EU site, I don't think it can be relied on.

Perhaps consider that the first two items are in the list because they need to be ….. some individuals have residency only because of their association with an EU citizen and the list is calling that out.

Thats just down to the sequence of how they have listed them. Its clear that having a residence card or long term visa exempts you.

If you received residence this way it will be stated on the residency card itself that you are a family member of an EU citizen.

Perhaps consider that the first two items are in the list because they need to be ….. some individuals have residency only because of their association with an EU citizen and the list is calling that out.

That's a good point.
So each member state would need different types of residency cards, and the EES system needs to distinguish between these different types of cards for each member state.

Latest newspaper report I have just read now says implementation in April 2027!

If it keeps getting pushed back again and again then maybe we can make our way into the EEA before the new system goes online?

I imagine the constant delays are due to the complexity of the EU - needs to be an entire EU system that works I assume. UK just 1 country now so was faster at implementing it.
We're travelling to the UK in June so wife will need it. I heard it's going up from £10 to £16 in a few days?

Any first-hand experiences from posters who have travelled recently to the EU as non-EU residents, now that the ETIAS system has begun its roll-out?

ETIAS has not yet started to be rolled out. Are you confusing it with the EES system?

Sorry, I thought it was part of the same system. Entry/exit data is now logged and stored for three years though, so the system will track the 90-day limit for non-residents I take it?