The Port of Dover expects nearly 10,000 outbound cars on Saturday as it prepares for possible delays linked to new EU border checks.
Chief executive Doug Bannister says the port has done all it can for the summer getaway, but a £40 million facility built to register travellers under the EU Entry Exit System remains unused for car passengers. French authorities have not activated its 84 biometric kiosks, and no start date has been set.
The system requires travellers from outside the EU, including Britons, to provide fingerprints and photographs when entering the Schengen Area. During the May half-term, about 8,500 outbound tourist vehicles faced waits of up to four-and-a-half hours at Dover. Bannister has warned MPs of further severe congestion without greater flexibility in the checks.
The port expects about 7,500 outbound cars on Friday and around 10,500 on each of 24 and 25 July. It has added border positions at its ferry terminal and is urging drivers to use main roads and arrive no more than two hours before their booked sailing.
Please note! Comments are published by readers. The opinions expressed may not reflect the position of the editorial team. NYCT is not responsible for the content of readers' opinions and asks authors to observe moral standards, not to incite national or racial hatred, and to avoid rudeness. Think before you speak. You are responsible for your words! By publishing an opinion, you agree to the rules! If this request is ignored, NYCT reserves the right to deprive the user of the ability to leave comments.