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Dover ferry passengers delayed by French security checks | Dover ferry passengers delayed by French security checks |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ferry passengers travelling to the Port of Dover are facing major delays due to increased French security checks. | Ferry passengers travelling to the Port of Dover are facing major delays due to increased French security checks. |
There are lengthy waits at the port with many people stranded overnight and huge numbers stuck in traffic. | There are lengthy waits at the port with many people stranded overnight and huge numbers stuck in traffic. |
Kent Police said there are delays of between three and five hours on roads into Dover. Motorists have described the traffic as "horrendous". | Kent Police said there are delays of between three and five hours on roads into Dover. Motorists have described the traffic as "horrendous". |
Checks have now been relaxed and waiting time at the holding area is 40 minutes, the port said. | Checks have now been relaxed and waiting time at the holding area is 40 minutes, the port said. |
P&O Ferries said it would hold sailings to ensure people could travel. | P&O Ferries said it would hold sailings to ensure people could travel. |
It refused to comment on reports some ferries had been leaving empty or with very few customers on board. | It refused to comment on reports some ferries had been leaving empty or with very few customers on board. |
France has been under a state of emergency since last November. | France has been under a state of emergency since last November. |
It was brought in after terror attacks in Paris on 13 November left 130 people dead. | It was brought in after terror attacks in Paris on 13 November left 130 people dead. |
'Tense atmosphere' | 'Tense atmosphere' |
The port said French border control booths at Dover had been "seriously understaffed overnight" during an "exceptional security situation". | The port said French border control booths at Dover had been "seriously understaffed overnight" during an "exceptional security situation". |
It said it had raised concerns over French manning levels with the UK Government earlier this week, which had raised the issue with its French counterparts. | It said it had raised concerns over French manning levels with the UK Government earlier this week, which had raised the issue with its French counterparts. |
Highways England said the A2 is at a "standstill" and is advising people to use the M20/A20. | Highways England said the A2 is at a "standstill" and is advising people to use the M20/A20. |
Kent County Council said it will deliver 11,000 bottles of water to drivers stuck in traffic. Kent Police has advised people to pack food and water. | Kent County Council said it will deliver 11,000 bottles of water to drivers stuck in traffic. Kent Police has advised people to pack food and water. |
There are no delays at the Channel Tunnel terminal but people have been told it will take 90 minutes to check in due to extra security procedures. | There are no delays at the Channel Tunnel terminal but people have been told it will take 90 minutes to check in due to extra security procedures. |
No problems have been reported at other major ferry ports. | No problems have been reported at other major ferry ports. |
Those stuck in the queues have described the situation as "tragic" and said people had been given little information. | Those stuck in the queues have described the situation as "tragic" and said people had been given little information. |
Renata Roslak said she and her husband left Birmingham at 19:00 BST on Friday and still had not reached the port. | Renata Roslak said she and her husband left Birmingham at 19:00 BST on Friday and still had not reached the port. |
'Shambolic' | |
She said: "It's absolutely horrendous. We have maybe moved half a mile in the last eight hours. | She said: "It's absolutely horrendous. We have maybe moved half a mile in the last eight hours. |
"There isn't even somewhere to turn around and head home. | "There isn't even somewhere to turn around and head home. |
"I even phoned the police to find out what was happening - we were told that there weren't enough staff to cope with the extra security checks, so ferries are leaving but they aren't full." | "I even phoned the police to find out what was happening - we were told that there weren't enough staff to cope with the extra security checks, so ferries are leaving but they aren't full." |
Traveller Bill Murray, who has been stuck for 12 hours, described the situation as "shambolic". | |
He tweeted: "Bosses of this shambles must resign. No help. One policeman on a bike an hour ago, failed to stop... Truly a third world response. Woeful." | |
Sonia Tutt, 38, on her way to Germany with more than a dozen others in a convoy, said: "Everyone is out of their vehicles, kids are playing football." | Sonia Tutt, 38, on her way to Germany with more than a dozen others in a convoy, said: "Everyone is out of their vehicles, kids are playing football." |
She added: "When we went to join the motorway there was no indication you were likely to be sitting here all night." | |
'Struggling in heat' | 'Struggling in heat' |
Kris Mazur spent the night on the A20 and said he had moved about one mile in 10 hours. | Kris Mazur spent the night on the A20 and said he had moved about one mile in 10 hours. |
He said people were standing around at the edge of the road having picnics or sleeping in their cars. | He said people were standing around at the edge of the road having picnics or sleeping in their cars. |
He added: "There has been no access to food or toilets. The motorway is still completely blocked." | He added: "There has been no access to food or toilets. The motorway is still completely blocked." |
Jack Donnelly from London said he had been stuck for more than seven hours. | Jack Donnelly from London said he had been stuck for more than seven hours. |
He said they had not been given much information and families with children were especially struggling with the heat. | He said they had not been given much information and families with children were especially struggling with the heat. |
"People are helping each other out but the atmosphere is starting to get tense," he added. | "People are helping each other out but the atmosphere is starting to get tense," he added. |
'Camping spirit' | 'Camping spirit' |
Dale Savage was caught in the delays for 12 hours en route to his brother's wedding. He said: "There are a lot of kids here, a lot of young children - a lot of people want to go on their holidays. | Dale Savage was caught in the delays for 12 hours en route to his brother's wedding. He said: "There are a lot of kids here, a lot of young children - a lot of people want to go on their holidays. |
"There are no real frustrations, the real problem was no one knew what was going on." | "There are no real frustrations, the real problem was no one knew what was going on." |
He described a "camping spirit... very much like Glastonbury" but without a band to see at the end of it. | He described a "camping spirit... very much like Glastonbury" but without a band to see at the end of it. |
However, Twitter user Lemonjelly said the mood was changing. | However, Twitter user Lemonjelly said the mood was changing. |
"The novelty is wearing off. A few hours ago you would see picnics and kids on rollerblades skating up the A20. Now a lot of overheated, glum faces." | "The novelty is wearing off. A few hours ago you would see picnics and kids on rollerblades skating up the A20. Now a lot of overheated, glum faces." |
Sarah Rossin added: "We've got three kids and they are being ace but it's 31 degrees on the motorway." | Sarah Rossin added: "We've got three kids and they are being ace but it's 31 degrees on the motorway." |
Suzanne Holland said she had finally checked in for the 08:30 crossing - 12 hours after arriving in Dover. | Suzanne Holland said she had finally checked in for the 08:30 crossing - 12 hours after arriving in Dover. |
"Anyone would be uncomfortable for that time especially with no information. Had we known we would have tried to sleep," she said. | "Anyone would be uncomfortable for that time especially with no information. Had we known we would have tried to sleep," she said. |
One passenger, Julia Woodcock, spoke of her relief at finally boarding a ferry after six hours. | One passenger, Julia Woodcock, spoke of her relief at finally boarding a ferry after six hours. |
She added: "It was all good-humoured. We are onboard now and finally read to start our hols!" | She added: "It was all good-humoured. We are onboard now and finally read to start our hols!" |
P&O Ferries said in a tweet: "Rest assured we'll get you on your way as soon as you pass the checks." | P&O Ferries said in a tweet: "Rest assured we'll get you on your way as soon as you pass the checks." |
Ferry operator DFDS Seaways said additional services have been added to assist late running customers. | |
It said it would put delayed customers on the first available sailing free of charge at check-in. | |
Are you travelling to France via Dover? How have your plans been affected? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences but do not endanger yourself. | Are you travelling to France via Dover? How have your plans been affected? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences but do not endanger yourself. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |