The Port of Dover are warning holidaymakers to expect delays this week of around two-and-a-half hours as most schools have broken up for the summer holidays.
Holidaymakers are being told that the summer getaway has increased delays due to enhanced post-Brexit passport checks by French border officials Police Aux Frontieres (PAF).
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said, “When passengers arrive at the Port of Dover, they will be processed through border controls – anticipated to take around 90 minutes on peak days.
“However, our modelling indicates that processing times may be up to two-and-a-half hours during the peak hours of 6am to 1pm during the first couple of Saturdays and Sundays of the summer holidays, due to the extreme popularity of these days.
“We care about every passenger that chooses to travel via the Port of Dover and have worked hard to ensure the best experience possible as they transit through on their summer holidays.”
Speaking to the PA news agency Bannister said that staff at Dover have done “everything we possibly can” to keep delays to a minimum.
He added, “People would anticipate if they’re travelling at very popular times on very busy days there will be some queuing.
“We can’t plan for unforeseen circumstances such as technical issues, industrial action or road traffic accidents on the approaches into the port.
“If these happen that could throw us some more challenges.
“What Dover has demonstrated time and time again is that we can be very resilient in our operations and clear the disruption very quickly.”
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