Travel update: Dover authorities clear port backlog following weekend from hell
Dover authorities have cleared the port’s weekend backlog, announcing that traffic was running normally as of 9.30am this morning and that there was “minimal dwell time.”
“There is no Port of Dover traffic being held in Brock on the M20, the Dover TAP system on the A20 is not currently required and all traffic is contained in the port with local roads operating normally,” the Kentish hub said in a statement.
“The French border is well staffed and there is minimal dwell time to get through the port and onto the ferries.”
Ferry operators such as P&O tweeted that traffic was free flowing, with a waiting time of less than 45 minutes.
“We still recommend allowing extra time for your crossing as the situation can change quickly,” the operator said.
People driving also reported traffic moving well at the Eurotunnel.
“Traffic moving well through the terminal and M20 all clear to standard entry slip road,” said one Twitter user.
While another added: No queues at all this morning! Amazing given the chaos of the weekend.”
The Channel Tunnel became the “hotspot of holiday hell” this weekend as some Brits queued for 21 hours to get to the train at Folkestone and into Europe.
Issues started on Friday after a major incident was declared and roads became gridlocked.
The government blamed French authorities for shortages of border staff to check passports, while French Transport Minister Clement Beaune cited Brexit as the root of additional border checks.
As reported by the Telegraph, John Redwood MP said: “If France carries on blocking entry people should go somewhere else on holiday
“It’s no fun to spend seven hours in a traffic jam. Glad my summer holiday is booked for England. Go somewhere that welcomes you.”
PA reported that port authorities said they worked “around the clock” to clear freight and tourist traffic in Dover.
Authorities told the news agency that it had processed 72,000 passengers on Sunday morning alone.
P&O Ferries tweeted yesterday evening that queues to the entrance of the Port of Dover eased.
The AA motoring group also said the chaos was now subsiding, with queue times now under two hours at Kent.