Motorists are being warned to expect 'severe delays' as Folkestone is branded the "hotspot of holiday hell".

Delays have begun to ease at the Port of Dover, but issues on the motorways and Eurotunnel are persisting.

Delays to to border controls at the tunnel and the Port of Dover have eased considerably compared to yesterday and Friday, but there are fears queues could pick up to similar levels again.

Dover TAP has been stood down this morning, with residents reporting clear runs in and out of the area from Folkestone.

However, the M20 is closed for all non-freight traffic between J8 (Maidstone) and J12 (Folkestone).

Operation Brock is in place and entry slip roads at Ashford's J9 and J10 and J11 at the Stop24 services for Hythe is shut.

All tourist traffic for the Port of Dover is being told to head along the M2 and A2 and arrive at the port via Jubilee Way.

Highways bosses have warned motorists to expect "severe delays" when looking to travel to either the port or Eurotunnel and to bring food and water with them on their journeys.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said Eurotunnel-bound motorists are trying to find alternative routes and warned that “many are waiting for several hours” to get to the terminal.

He said: “Dover has now recovered, but Folkestone has become the hotspot of holiday hell.

“Drivers are now trying to find alternative routes down to the Eurotunnel terminal at J11a on the M20. Holidaymakers are trying to use the M2 and then find ways to drop down into the A20 and the terminal via the back roads.

“Drivers heading to Folkestone need to be prepared. We have seen that many are waiting for several hours before they get to the terminal, so all the pre-journey vehicle checks are key along with carrying plenty of food, water and entertainment for younger travellers.”

Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, said: “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has turned this situation around, from the French and UK authorities to our ferry operators, Kent partners and our own port staff.

"I am also incredibly grateful for the support and understanding that our customers and community have shown us during this challenging period. We all now owe it to them to ensure our summer plan is delivered in full for the rest of the holiday period.”

So far this weekend the Port has processed 72,000 passengers, which is more than 200 miles of tourist and freight traffic combined.

Bosses said they should "not have been in this situation in the first place"

However, with all partners working together, they say its summer plan will ensure that trade continues to flow effectively and families get away on their holidays.

Current check-in times for Eurotunnel are around one and a half hours for tourists, and four hours for freight.

There are few queues at the Port of Dover, but passengers are being advised to arrive at least two hours before check-in closes in case the situation changes.

Foreign Secretary and Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss said disruption at the Port of Dover was the fault of French authorities when asked if Brexit was the reason for the transport chaos.

Speaking at a campaign visit in Kent, she said: “This is a situation that has been caused by a lack of resource at the border.

“And that is what the French authorities need to address and that is what I am being very clear with them about.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office later tweeted a statement from Ms Truss, announcing she had spoken to French foreign minister Catherine Colonna.

She said: “I was clear the French authorities have not put enough people on the border and we need to see action from them to resolve the terrible situation which travellers, including families, are facing.”

But French politician Pierre-Henri Dumont, Republican MP for Calais, has blamed delays on the UK’s exit from the EU.

He told BBC News it was “an aftermath of Brexit” with more checks needed, claiming the Dover port is “too small” with too few kiosks due to lack of space.

More as we get it.