Increased security checks have been put in place at the port in the wake of recent terror attacks, but questions have been raised about the level of staffing in place to deal with the increase in people travelling.
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Drivers have been warned today that they face up to eight hour delays, after many were stranded in their cars overnight.
Passengers are facing major delays at the Port of Dover due to increased French security checks. We are acutely aware of the effect the disruption is having in the Dover area and we continue to co-operate with the French authorities about a range of operational matters.
Tourist, freight and local traffic are being split on the approach to try to keep things moving.
But Conservative MP for Dover Charlie Elphicke, who was stuck in traffic for around two hours on Friday evening, said there had been a lack of forward planning which led to “poor transport management”.
“French border authorities have been operating at a heightened level of security”.
Asked when the situation is likely to improve, a spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: “Based on historic traffic patterns from previous years, we expect demand to subside from mid-afternoon on Sunday”.
Those stuck on the roads described the situation as “tragic” and said people had been given little information.
Thousands of holidaymakers attempting to travel to France by ferry from Dover yesterday faced “horrendous” delays of up to 15 hours.
He said: “Police and service vehicles were driving up and down the westbound carriageway”.
Police and humanitarian organisations have been handing out water to those stuck in the traffic jams which have been as long as 12 miles. We were standing still in a tunnel for an hour, which is unsafe. There’s not been one police auto or anything.
“We are also working closely with Highways England, Kent Police and the Port of Dover to tackle the disruption”. “Proud to be British Sikh!”
Sonia Tutt, 38, who is travelling with more than a dozen people to Germany with more than seven ponies.
Footage showed others playing music while people around them watched and danced on the gridlocked roads.
‘The A20 is closed eastbound between the M20 J13 and the junction with the A260 near Folkestone for the safety of traffic queuing to enter the Port of Dover so that it does not have to queue within the Roundhill Tunnel’.
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“However, that does not take into account the effects of the extra security checks at the port, so is only an indication”.
