Delays to reach border checks at port

Ferry operators are warning of queues building at one of Kent’s ports where there are delays of up to 90 minutes to reach border checks.

DFDS Seaways, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries are advising passengers to arrive at the Port of Dover^[1] “prepared”.

Ferry operators warn passengers of 90-minute delays to reach border checks in Dover

In a warning to those travelling today, a P&O spokesperson said online: “There are currently queues of up to 90 minutes to reach border checks in Dover.

“Rest assured, if you miss your sailing, we will put you on the next available one.

“Please ensure you arrive prepared and carry refreshments.”

The rest of the port is said to be “free-flowing”.

Sudden strikes on the French side of the Channel Tunnel caused chaos ahead of Christmas^[2] with thousands attempting to get away.

Drivers stuck in Maison Dieu Road at the junction with Godwyne Road and Park Avenue on Friday

It led to severe congestion throughout Dover where holidaymakers were stuck, public transport forced to cancel services and residents delayed getting across the town.

On the pre-Christmas chaos around the town, Natalie Elphicke MP said: “There is simply no excuse for the traffic chaos in Dover.

“The French being on strike for a few hours is well within the bounds of what the Kent Resilience Forum and Kent Highways plan for.

“Dover residents have missed hospital and medical appointments, cancelled Christmas plans with family and friends, businesses have lost trade and a couple told me they had to abandon their M&S Christmas food shop because they faced an hour’s wait just driving across Dover town. It’s simply not acceptable and should not have happened.”

Earlier this month, travellers heading toward the Port of Dover^[3] faced hold-ups of around an hour to get through customs checks.

Queues on the A20 as lorry drivers wait to get to the port in Dover as result of the sudden Channel Tunnel strikes on Thursday

The delays had been believed to be a result of the pre-Christmas getaway^[4], the introduction of the traffic management system Dover TAP^[5] on the A20 heading into the town, and an earlier crash on the coastbound section of the A20 at Capel-le-Ferne.

Some 50 trains were cancelled through the Channel Tunnel last Thursday as a result of the strikes by workers at the Calais terminal.

References

1. ^{^} Dover (www.kentonline.co.uk)
2. ^{^} caused chaos ahead of Christmas (www.kentonline.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Dover (www.kentonline.co.uk)
4. ^{^} result of the pre-Christmas getaway (www.kentonline.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Dover TAP (www.kentonline.co.uk)