French authorities have increased controls at the border in the wake of terror threats, and combined with a larger number of people taking a summer break, it has resulted in hours of delays for motorists in the area.
Advertisement
The Home Office said UK Border Force officials were in place to help but would not reveal how many to protect “operational details”.
“The Port of Dover, which has no authority over French border operations, raised concerns over French manning levels with the United Kingdom government earlier this week and the government, in turn, raised the issue with its French counterparts”.
The possibility the French are making life hard for Brits has been raised across the United Kingdom this weekend.
On Sunday morning, the Port of Dover was warning of waiting times of 3 to 3.5 hours from Roundhill Tunnels and 30 minutes from the A2 Whitfield.
Last night the port warned the disruption could last for another 38 to 48 hours.
Highways England, which runs the road network, said the delays were due to “heightened security checks to keep the travelling public safe following the recent attacks in France”.
Hollande increased military support for Iraq in its fight against IS extremists as a result of the Nice attack, and French lawmakers extended a state of emergency in place since the deadly November 13 Islamic State attacks on Paris.
“We recognise the security pressures that French law enforcement organisations are under at Dover”, said a British government spokeswoman.
Kent County Council organised water to be delivered to drivers in the queues helped by Sikh aid group Khalsa Aid with police using both motorcyclists and helicopters to deliver the supplies.
Police distributed water to some of the people who had been stuck in their cars for hour.
Despite temperatures peaking at around 20.2C (68.36F), police have advised people to stay in their cars.
“The port at Dover is a vital link connecting our island to mainland Europe and the governments on both sides of the Channel must act now to protect the millions of people who rely on it”.
Mr Puissesseau said: “I am very ashamed of this situation”.
The port said it had raised concerns over French staffing levels with the United Kingdom government earlier this week, which were then brought up with its French counterparts.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Dover’s MP Charlie Elphicke said the delays were “completely unacceptable” and urged the authorities to “get a grip” and get the chaos sorted out.
