Port of Dover gridlock could worsen over weekend

22 July 2022

Updated 24 minutes ago

Long queues of cars have built up at the Port of Dover for a second day, with travellers going to France warned of potential delays of four hours.

About 10,000 cars passing through the port are expected to be processed on Saturday, up 1,500 on Friday’s figure.

P&O Ferries told travellers to allow at least three to four hours to clear all security and French border checks.

Officials in Kent have declared a major incident due to the traffic. Some 3,000 lorries are also waiting to cross.

They are currently parked on the M20 outside Dover, while holiday traffic is being prioritised.

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Video caption,

Thousands of lorries stacked on M20 outside Dover

The BBC’s Simon Jones said cars had been taking two hours to travel the last mile of the route on Saturday morning and another few hours to get through French passport control before boarding.

The Port of Dover said 17,215 passengers had left on ferries by 12:45 BST adding: “We are working hard with our partners to get all passengers on their way as quickly as possible.”

P&O Ferries said it would try to get anyone who misses their sailing on to the next available crossing, and advised passengers to bring extra water and snacks amid heavy traffic.

Backlog is starting to clear

Image source, Getty Images

We’re told the backlog is starting to clear but that it will take some time to get everyone where they need to be.

Traffic is moving through Dover itself, into the port and onto ferries. Local streets are moving more freely than yesterday.

But there are still thousands of cars and lorries held on roads into Dover.

Motorists are being warned to carry water and food – it’s a warm day on the roads of Kent. They’ve been told if they miss their ferry they’ll be put on the first one available.

Ten thousand cars are expected to pass through the port today, on top of the 8,500 yesterday.

It’s the busiest weekend of the year and because of the pandemic Dover hasn’t seen anything like this since 2019. Local people are saying they’ve never seen it this bad.

Brexit also means passport checks have changed and now take longer but drivers are asking why there aren’t more staff and resources in place to handle the heavy demand.

Delays are also being reported by travellers heading for the Eurotunnel in Folkestone, with traffic crawling on approaching routes.

Director of Public Affairs for Eurotunnel John Keefe told the BBC that despite delays on the roads once passengers arrived at the terminal they were able to get through “pretty smoothly”.

“While it’s slowing things down on traffic down moving through the county, it’s actually bringing it to the terminal in a very orderly fashion,” he said.

“And then we’re able to carry it pretty much straightaway.

“The times on our terminal are being respected as we suggest to passengers.”

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Port of Dover boss Doug Bannister warns that passengers should still expect delays

On Friday, people trying to get away via Dover after schools broke up for the summer holidays were held up in six-hour queues, as routes to the ferry terminal were in gridlock.

Traffic queues four miles long had formed on the eastbound M2.

The Port of Dover and the UK government blamed the delays on France, saying they did not have enough border staff.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the delays were “unacceptable” and the situation was “entirely avoidable”, calling on France to build up capacity at the border.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said Saturday was another “really busy and difficult day”, and also pointed the finger at the French, saying they had “let us down badly” on Friday.

But Pierre-Henri Dumont, Republican MP for Calais, said problems at the port would reoccur because more checks are needed since Brexit.

He also told the BBC the Port of Dover was “too small” and there were too few kiosks due to lack of space.

‘How are we feeling? Sad and frustrated’

If you’re a parent, you probably know how challenging long car trips with a young child can be.

Dave Harvey and his family have been stuck in their car since leaving home early this morning on their way to the Eurostar terminal at Folkestone.

“We’re moving now though… [we’ve] been queuing for probably three hours now to get through,” he says.

He adds, “[It’s a] bit of a joke really. The M20’s closed. I don’t know why it’s closed to be quite frank with you.”

So how does he feel at the start of his family summer holiday?

“Frustrated. Especially with the young one. Sad and frustrated.”

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Video caption,

Travellers arriving at Dover tell the BBC about their journeys so far this morning.

The AA warned that congestion is rising across the motorway network as parts of Kent remain overwhelmed.

Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of roads policy, said traffic was now building along the major holiday routes – with delays now showing on the M25, M3, M4, M5, M6, A303 and A31.

“The South East has been overwhelmed with travellers hoping to hop onto the continent with ease, but that has rapidly turned into a nightmare. One that is now being shared by the locals as drivers try to find alternative roads so they can keep the wheels turning.”

Residents in the areas around Dover and Folkestone have complained about the disruption.

Writing on social media, one person near Dover said: “Surrounding roads were yesterday, and are again today, gridlocked. So while holidaymakers and lorries endured a five-six hour delay yesterday, local people are now facing day two of disruption.”

Others said the nearby towns of Hawkinge, Folkestone and Hythe had also been impacted by the traffic.

Anna Divers, who lives near the A20 approach to the Eurotunnel, said: “I have never ever seen it like this. I have lived here 16 years and travel to France regularly. It’s never been this bad.”

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