Hundreds of families travelling for a bank holiday break are experiencing significant delays and gridlock at the Port of Dover due to the introduction of new EU border checks. Ferry passengers face waits of at least 90 minutes at the port for border checks, with many reporting an additional two-hour wait just to access the port, causing "total gridlock" on surrounding roads like the M20 and A2.
New EU Entry-Exit System Causes Delays
The delays are attributed to the new EU Entry-Exit System (EES), which requires fingerprints and photographs. French border police are currently processing travellers manually as the full system is not yet installed at Dover. Saturday is anticipated to be the Port of Dover's busiest day of the year, with over 8,000 travellers, coinciding with unusually high May temperatures reaching 25 degrees and an amber heat alert for the South East.
Travelers Describe 'Laughable' Situation
Travellers, such as Rosamund Hall, described the situation as "laughable" and "static." Simon Calder, The Independent's travel correspondent, observed thousands of cars backed up, indicating a processing rate far below the usual 800 cars per hour. The gridlock has caused frustration among families hoping for a smooth start to their bank holiday getaway.
The queues have been building since early morning, with some travellers reporting waits of over two hours just to enter the port area. The M20 motorway and A2 road have been particularly affected, with traffic at a standstill for miles. Local authorities have urged travellers to allow extra time and consider alternative routes if possible.
The new EES checks are part of the EU's post-Brexit border security measures, but their implementation has been problematic, especially at busy ports like Dover. The manual processing is slower than the automated system, which is expected to be installed later this year. In the meantime, travellers are advised to prepare for delays and ensure they have all necessary documents ready for inspection.
