There were 90-minute waiting times at the Port of Dover as travellers brace themselves for the busy Christmas getaway.

Those making cross-Channel journeys have been warned to prepare for potential long waits, which is blamed on a knock-on effect of strike action on Thursday.

The unexpected industrial action in France affected Eurostar – which operates passenger services to and from London St Pancras – and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which runs vehicle-carrying trains to and from Folkestone.

As of 9.30am this morning, traffic was said to be queuing for a mile heading to the port along the A2.

The M20 coast-bound opened from Junction 8 to Junction 9 last night after it was used to hold lorries heading for the Channel crossings on what is one of the busiest days of the year for travel.

The Port of Dover advised travellers this morning there was a 90-minute wait time ahead of French border controls.

But an update shortly after 1pm today said: “There is currently no wait time ahead of French border controls.

“Wishing all our passengers a pleasant transit and a safe onward journey”

P&O Ferries has advised travellers there are limited toilet facilities so it recommends stopping en route.

“Please come prepared with refreshments to make your wait more comfortable,” it said.

“Thank you for your patience.”

The ferry company has apologised for the delays, and added: “We are working hard with the authorities involved to improve the situation and would like to assure you that you will be accommodated on the next available sailing once you get through.”

The after-effects of the last-minute strike action saw “exceptionally heavy traffic” at the Port of Dover yesterday, with long delays and roads in Dover gridlocked.

Dover Tap has also been stood down along the A20 for the time being.

Roads approaching the port snarled up, with drivers getting out of their cars in Maison Dieu Road as queues continued to build.

But congestion was likely to have peaked yesterday afternoon as drivers embarked on leisure trips competed for road space with commuters and business traffic.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke says there is “simply no excuse for 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,” she said.

“Dover residents have missed hospital and medical appointments, cancelled Christmas plans with family and friends, and businesses have lost trade.

“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.

“Its simply not acceptable and should not have happened.”

The M20 motorway in Kent has reopened between junctions 8 and 9 after it was closed due to Operation Brock, which involves organising a queue for freight traffic during disruption to cross-Channel services.

Eurostar, which operates passenger services to and from London St Pancras, is operating two extra services per day between London and Paris up to and including Christmas Eve to help people whose trains were cancelled on Thursday.

Vehicle-carrying train service Eurotunnel is running its usual timetable but is only accepting customers who have pre-booked.

The RAC estimated 13.5 million leisure journeys by car would take place across the UK between Friday and Sunday, up 20% on the three days before Christmas Day last year.

Motorists were advised to travel before 11am or after 6pm if possible to reduce the chance of being stuck in long queues.