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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 2 hours 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 tailbacks continuing into Saturday morning. | 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 tailbacks 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 severe delays on the A20 and the A2 in Kent and measures in place to split tourist, freight and local traffic. | 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 severe delays on the A20 and the A2 in Kent and measures in place to split tourist, freight and local traffic. |
| Highways England said that French border police at Dover and Eurotunnel were following their government’s requirementsfor heightened security checks in the wake of the Nice truck attack. | |
| “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.” |
| Authorities at the port of Dover said on Saturday morning that border checks in France had been relaxed, which had reducing waiting times by a third, while ferry operators reassured delayed customers they would be able to take the next crossing. | Authorities at the port of Dover said on Saturday morning that border checks in France had been relaxed, which had reducing waiting times by a third, while ferry operators reassured delayed customers they would be able to take the next crossing. |
| Current waiting time in the buffer zone has reduced from 90 minutes to 29 minutes due to relaxed French security checks | Current waiting time in the buffer zone has reduced from 90 minutes to 29 minutes due to relaxed French security checks |
| All sailings are currently running within 20mins of schedule, please keep an eye on here for live traffic updates | All sailings are currently running within 20mins of schedule, please keep an eye on here for live traffic updates |
| DOVER: we are now checking in for 10:15 - 11:10 and will hold sailings to accommodate customers that were stuck in queues | DOVER: we are now checking in for 10:15 - 11:10 and will hold sailings to accommodate customers that were stuck in queues |
| DOVER UPDATE: Customers affected by the traffic delays will be accommodated on the first available sailing free of charge at check-in | DOVER UPDATE: Customers affected by the traffic delays will be accommodated on the first available sailing free of charge at check-in |
| Travelling from Folkestone this morning? It is taking up to 90 minutes to check in due to reinforced security and Border checks ^CM | Travelling from Folkestone this morning? It is taking up to 90 minutes to check in due to reinforced security and Border checks ^CM |
| 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 to check-in on Saturday morning. | Rail travellers were warned of 90-minute queues to check-in on Saturday morning. |
| Sonia Tutt, from Hythe in Kent, was travelling with more than a dozen people, including her 14-year-old twin daughters, to an equestrian event in Germany. | Sonia Tutt, from Hythe in Kent, was travelling with more than a dozen people, including her 14-year-old twin daughters, to an equestrian event in Germany. |
| There are seven ponies in her convoy, but no priority system in place for livestock, Tutt said. As the temperature rises during the day the animals may have to be taken out of their trailers: “They are all quite happy at the moment, and we have come prepared. We will have to see what happens. | There are seven ponies in her convoy, but no priority system in place for livestock, Tutt said. As the temperature rises during the day the animals may have to be taken out of their trailers: “They are all quite happy at the moment, and we have come prepared. We will have to see what happens. |
| “Everyone is out of their vehicles, kids are playing football. There’s not been one police car or anything. Even when we went to join the motorway there was no indication that when you joined you were likely to be sitting here all night.” | “Everyone is out of their vehicles, kids are playing football. There’s not been one police car or anything. Even when we went to join the motorway there was no indication that when you joined you were likely to be sitting here all night.” |