Dover gridlock eases while Eurotunnel traffic delays persist

Traffic in Dover, a key departure point for France where UK holidaymakers endured days of chaos, appeared to be easing on Sunday, but Eurotunnel continued to suffer from congestion. 

The Port of Dover said in a statement that it cleared waiting freight vehicles overnight and has now eased the backlog of tourist passengers from Friday and Saturday. So far this weekend the port has processed 72,000 passengers, equivalent to more than 200 miles of tourist and freight traffic combined, it said.

While traffic at the Port of Dover has eased, there was still congestion 10 miles south in Folkestone, where part of the M20 was closed to park 600 lorries, the BBC reported. 

Eurotunnel said it may take passengers longer than normal to reach its UK terminal. “If you turn up late for your departure, we’ll get you on the next available service,” the company said on Twitter.

Traffic jams have led to congestion on local roads in Kent, with residents reporting journeys taking hours longer than they should, BBC reported. 

The port and the UK’s Department for Transport blamed the past days’ delays on a shortage of French border staff, while France said Brexit is the reason for longer passport controls. 

P&O Ferries Ltd. said on Twitter that there are queues at the entrance to the Port of Dover and it’s currently taking approximately 45 minutes to clear passport control.

The disruptions hit during one of the peak travel weekends, with many families starting their holidays after British schools shut for the summer. The peak in road traffic around the port comes as travel chaos continues to plague the UK, with staff shortages disrupting air travel and strikes and extreme temperatures hampering trains. 

Travelers looking to avoid Dover are finding alternatives sold out, including many of DFDS’s services from Newhaven to Dieppe for the next week. 

Despite UK fuel prices having risen 42.3% in the last year, demand remains high as some holidaymakers may have turned to driving in order to avoid chaos at airports. 

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that France is resisting efforts to increase the number of Eurostar trains, with French border and security officials at Gare du Nord said to be insisting that they can only cope with a maximum of 13 trains a day.