Travellers are being warned to expect delays as queues build up at the Port of Dover on what experts are calling the “busiest travel day”.

According to travel association ABTA, today, (Saturday) is expected to be the day most people travel abroad with schools across England and Wales breaking up for summer in the past week.

The wait time is currently at 60 minutes – though the authorities have warned queues could potentially cause delays of two-and-a-half hours.

Port of Dover’s Twitter page confirmed the waits, saying: “23,264 passengers have set sail for France so far today.

“All tourist traffic on the A20 is to use the right hand lane to allow for freight in the left hand lane.

“Holidaymakers heading to France are subject to French border checks by Police Aux Frontieres on arrival at the Port of Dover.”

The update comes after yesterday’s news that Dover TAP was to be put in place, significantly affecting traffic on the A20 and M20.

Over the years when TAP has been used neighbours have complained about being tormented, including kept awake, by frustrated HGV drivers sounding their horns when they are held up.

To combat this, National Highways have implemented a quiet zone which stretches for almost a mile from the Court Wood Interchange near Capel-le-Ferne, to the Western Heights Roundabout, which leads to the only entrance road to the small community of Aycliffe.

From the end of this week, signs will be in place along the A20 to tell drivers of the quiet zone with any HGV drivers not complying with the signage risking a fine of £60.

P&O Ferries advised: “There are currently queues at border control, please allow extra time to clear all security checks.

“Check-in closes 60 minutes before your booked sailing time. Rest assured, if you miss your sailing, you'll be on the first available once at check-in.”

Enhanced post-Brexit passport checks by French border officials Police Aux Frontieres (PAF) have significantly increased processing times.

They have taken a series of measures aimed at minimising queues during the summer getaway, including installation of an additional PAF booth, and hour-by-hour traffic flow projections.

The port is also continuing to use a new system for processing coach passengers, involving Advanced Passenger Information checks being carried out away from the main port facility during busy periods.

This was first introduced for the May half-term after some coach passengers were stuck at the port for more than 10 hours during Easter.

Recently there have been several more incidents of delays at the border, and the port is now urging car passengers embarking on summer getaways to arrive three hours before their booked sailing.

This is up from two hours last year, while before the end of the Brexit transition period the port gave no advice for when people should turn up.

More on the traffic in Dover as we have it.