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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/23/port-of-dover-seven-hour-delays-border-checks-france
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| Port of Dover warns drivers of seven-hour delays due to border checks | Port of Dover warns drivers of seven-hour delays due to border checks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of motorists have been stranded overnight at the port of Dover after security checks were heightened at the request of French authorities, with long tail backs continuing into Saturday morning. | |
| Holidaymakers and lorry drivers were told to prepare for queues of up to seven hours and to stock up on food and water as the summer getaway begins. There are currently severe delays on the A20 and the A2 in Kent and there are measures in place to split tourist, freight and local traffic. | |
| Highways England said: “French border police at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel continue to follow French government requirements to deliver heightened security checks” following recent attacks. | Highways England said: “French border police at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel continue to follow French government requirements to deliver heightened security checks” following recent attacks. |
| “The A20 is closed eastbound between the M20 J13 and the junction with the A260 near Folkestone for the safety of traffic queuing to enter the port of Dover so that it does not have to queue within the Roundhill Tunnel.” | “The A20 is closed eastbound between the M20 J13 and the junction with the A260 near Folkestone for the safety of traffic queuing to enter the port of Dover so that it does not have to queue within the Roundhill Tunnel.” |
| The port of Dover tweeted advice for local traffic to use alternative routes and said approximate waiting times on roads approaching the port is around four hours. | The port of Dover tweeted advice for local traffic to use alternative routes and said approximate waiting times on roads approaching the port is around four hours. |
| P&O Ferries tweeted: “Heightened security check at French border control in Dover due to events in France, we’ll get you on your way as soon as you check in.” | P&O Ferries tweeted: “Heightened security check at French border control in Dover due to events in France, we’ll get you on your way as soon as you check in.” |
| Dale Savage, who was delayed for 12 hours as he made his way to his brother’s wedding, told BBC Breakfast “there was a bit of a camping spirit going on” among those stuck in the jam. | Dale Savage, who was delayed for 12 hours as he made his way to his brother’s wedding, told BBC Breakfast “there was a bit of a camping spirit going on” among those stuck in the jam. |
| “There are a lot of kids here, a lot of young children – a lot of people want to go on their holidays,” he said. “There are no real frustrations, the real problem was no one knew what was going on – were not quite sure why we were being held there – wasn’t sure whether it was an accident or something had happened further down in the port. | “There are a lot of kids here, a lot of young children – a lot of people want to go on their holidays,” he said. “There are no real frustrations, the real problem was no one knew what was going on – were not quite sure why we were being held there – wasn’t sure whether it was an accident or something had happened further down in the port. |
| “There was a bit of a camping spirit going on, very much like Glastonbury earlier on in the year, but without the benefit of having a band to see at the end of it.” | “There was a bit of a camping spirit going on, very much like Glastonbury earlier on in the year, but without the benefit of having a band to see at the end of it.” |
| Rail travellers were warned of 90-minute queues for check-in on Saturday morning. Eurotunnel tweeted: “Travelling from Folkestone this morning? It is taking up to 90 minutes to check in due to reinforced security and Border checks.” | |