disruption in the port of dover has cleared up with traffic reportedly “flowing normally”, but travelers are now dealing with lengthy delays at Folkestone and the Eurotunnel.
The AA called Folkestone the new “hotspot of holiday hell”, after two days of disruption in Dover saw thousands stuck in traffic jams as they waited for the start of their summer break.
With the M20 Coastbound still closed to non-cargo traffic as part of Operation Brock to direct traffic, National Highways warned Sunday of “serious delays” in Kent for people heading to Dover or Eurotunnel.
Eurotunnel said service in Folkestone was delayed, with an estimated processing time of around 90 minutes between check-in and boarding.
Jack Cousens, head of road policy for the AA, said motorists in the Eurotunnel are trying to find alternative routes and warned that “many wait several hours” to get to the terminal.
He said: “Dover has now recovered, but Folkestone has become the hot spot of holiday hell.
“Drivers are now trying to find alternative routes to the Eurotunnel terminal at J11a on the M20.
“Holiday makers try to use the M2, then find ways to descend via the back roads to the A20 and the terminal.
“Drivers going to Folkestone need to be prepared. We have seen many wait several hours before arriving at the terminal, so all vehicle checks prior to travel are essential, along with bringing plenty of food, water and entertainment for younger travelers.”
Queues at the Port of Dover reduced to an hour on Sunday, as opposed to scenes of bumper-to-bumper traffic that have caused traffic chaos in the area since Friday.
Additional post-Brexit border controls and the understaffing of the Dover checkpoints by the French authorities are responsible for the robberies.
More than 6,000 tourist cars were expected in the port on Sunday as people continue their summer travels this weekend after most schools in England and Wales split for the holidays.
The port of Dover said it had helped more than 10,800 passengers on their way by mid-morning Sunday.
A port spokesman said: “The French border is fully staffed and everything is running normally.
“There will be queues, but at short notice (less than 60 minutes) during the day.”
Mark Simmonds, director of policy and external affairs at the British Ports Association, said he was pleased to hear that the situation in Dover had improved.
He told BBC Breakfast: “We are pleased to hear that things are going a little better today. The queues have decreased this morning.
“The cabins are fully staffed and we have been told that the port expects those cabins to be fully staffed throughout the summer.”
Port authorities said the work they and their partners have undertaken, “including strong support from colleagues at the French border” to clear traffic this weekend, shows that the Port of Dover’s “summer plan will work for the rest of the year.” the holiday season”.
About 72,000 passengers — more than 200 miles of tourist and freight traffic combined — had been processed through the weekend until Sunday morning.
Port chief executive Doug Bannister thanked travelers and residents of Dover for their understanding during what he described as a “challenging period”, saying he was “incredibly grateful to everyone who has changed this situation, from the French and British authorities to our ferry companies.” , Kent partners and our own port staff”.
French politician Pierre-Henri Dumont, Republican MP for Calais, has blamed delays in the UK’s exit from the EU, but Foreign Secretary and Tory hopeful Liz Truss has insisted that the disruption at the port blamed the French authorities for not properly manning the border.
She spoke to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Saturday, with the latter saying the couple had a “good chat”.
Ms Colonna added: “We welcomed the cooperation between our competent technical services to reduce delays. Also need to improve the facilities of the Port of Dover.”
Passengers crossing the Channel from Dover must pass through French border controls before boarding a ferry.
Mr Simmonds said Brexit “definitely adds” to the situation, with “a harder border than before”.
Natalie Chapman, from the logistics UK transport group, expressed concern about the French workforce and the Brexit changes.
Elsewhere on the roads, the AA said traffic seemed to be flowing well on Sunday, “except for some isolated congestion”.