Chaos at Dover Port: Long Queues and Painful Delays Hit Holidaymakers
Holidaymakers and freight drivers face major frustration at the Port of Dover. Long queues and slow processing times are causing big hold-ups. French border guards are taking up to 90 minutes to clear car passengers and nearly two hours for lorry drivers, say Kent port officials.
Brexit Checks Blamed for Grinding Delays
The delays come courtesy of beefed-up post-Brexit controls. French border officers are stamping UK passports and carrying out extra checks before passengers can board ferries. This has added precious minutes to already busy processing times, creating bottlenecks and congestion.
Today is already proving a popular travel day at Dover, and the port is busy processing strong volumes of tourist traffic,” a port spokesperson said. “Teams from the port, Police aux Frontieres, and ferry operators are working to get you through as swiftly as possible.”
Traffic Measures and Ferry Operator Promise
To combat the traffic chaos, the Dover Traffic Assessment Project (TAP) is in place for the day. The scheme forces HGV drivers to stick to the left lane on roads heading to the port, freeing up the other lane for local traffic to flow more smoothly.
DFDS, a key ferry operator between Dover and Calais, has promised stranded passengers who miss their ferries due to delays will be booked on the next available sailing.
Advice for Travellers: Prepare for Delays
- Allow extra time for your journey through Dover.
- Keep up to date with live traffic and ferry updates.
- Check ferry operator websites before travelling.
Earlier this year, during the Easter rush, some coach passengers endured waits of up to 10 hours at Dover. With delays worsening, travellers are urged to plan ahead to avoid being stuck in the queues when crossing the Channel.
