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News

Delays for ferries at Port of Dover ahead of half-term, as town’s roads become gridlocked

By: Sam Williams swilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:09, 27 May 2023

Updated: 15:36, 27 May 2023

Dover’s roads are once again snarled up as travellers head to the port to get away for half-term.

There are waiting times of around 90 minutes at Border Control to board ferries leaving the busy port and heading to France.

Traffic is building up in Dover town centre due to delays at the port

It comes as IT technical problems with French Border Control systems meant their computers were down for about an hour this morning.

This resulted in a backlog at the port.

As such, roads around Dover town, including the A20, are congested.

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With travellers being prioritised over freight, it means lorries are being held on the M20 as part of Operation Brock.

In addition, traffic is queueing on the M2 coast-bound at J7 for Brenley Corner because of checks to prevent lorries heading to the Port of Dover from trying to bypass the holding areas.

Measures have been put in place to ease congestion, says port bosses
Queues in Castle Street. Picture: David Joseph Wright

Residents have taken to social media to vent their frustration at Dover once again being left at a standstill.

One person posted: “It's horrendous as usual and no police sorting it out.”

Another said: “We are currently stuck in it! Trying to get my daughter to her swimming lesson.”

View of the Port of Dover this morning, showing heavy traffic waiting to board ferries. Picture: Ralph Lombart

A third said: “Bank holiday weekend you would think people would learn.”

There is heavy traffic in Dover. Picture: David Joseph Wright

P&O Ferries reassured customers they will be able to get on the next available ship.

A Tweet from the company said: “We know it's really busy today, rest assured if you miss your booked sailing we will get you away on the next available.

“We know this isn't the ideal start to your trip but our teams are ready to welcome you onboard once checked in.”

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DFDS made a similar announcement: “We are expecting a busy weekend through the port with the half term getaway.

“Please allow 120 minutes to complete border controls and check-in. Please be prepared with refreshments & use facilities before arriving at the port.”

Irish Ferries also said they were expecting a busy day at the port.

People stuck in the queues have reported their frustrations on Twitter.

One said they had only moved 200 yards in 50 minutes.

Another said: “I don’t know if this is normal in busy periods. I don’t know if it’s because of Brexit. I just know that we allowed 1 hr for a 20 minute journey to Dover leaving us 2hrs to check in. And we have instead spent all 3 hours just getting to the port. The weather is nice though…”

There's also a waiting time of 30 minutes on the Eurotunnel at Folkestone.

The travel chaos this weekend was predicted, with the RAC warning it could be the busiest late May Bank Holiday on the roads since before the pandemic.

Cars in standstill along the A20 in Dover, on approach to the port
P&O ferries at Dover’s Eastern Docks. Stock pic
There is heavy traffic throughout Dover town. Picture: David Joseph Wright

And bosses at the port said they are prepared for the influx of travellers heading to Europe and had introduced a number of measures to stop traffic clogging up the town.

Additional measures have been taken for coaches to better manage queues, with extra border control booths and additional staffing at the French border.

Yesterday, queues on approach to the port saw an ambulance having to drive on the wrong side of the road in order to bypass standstill traffic.

More as we get it.

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