This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65143093

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Dover ferry passengers warned of long delays Dover ferry passengers warned of long delays
(about 4 hours later)
The Port of Dover said border control were experiencing 'severe delays' on Friday Footage taken by a BBC correspondent showed lorries queuing for the port overnight
A critical incident has been declared at Dover, as coach passengers face "lengthy delays" at the start of the Easter getaway due to bad weather and long processing times in France. A critical incident has been declared at Dover, as passengers face long delays caused by bad weather and long processing times in France.
Around 70 coaches were waiting at the port to be processed early on Saturday, a port official told the BBC. Around 70 coaches were waiting at the port to be processed early on Saturday morning, a port official told the BBC.
One passenger said he had been told to expect delays of up to 14 hours. At 04:00 BST, the port reported delays of five to six hours.
An earlier port statement said other tourist traffic and freight vehicles were moving "as usual" for peak times. Delays have also started to affect other vehicles, with BBC correspondent Aruna Iyengar observing tailbacks of two miles (3km) for lorries.
P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways also reported delays to Channel ferry crossings - with DFDS saying strong winds were adding to the problem. P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways have both reported disruption to Channel ferry crossings - with DFDS saying strong winds were adding to the problem.
In its Friday evening update, the port apologised for the "lengthy delays" to journeys and said it was "working hard" with ferry operators and other partners to resolve the issues. On Friday, the port apologised for the "lengthy delays" to journeys and said it was "working hard" with ferry operators and other partners to resolve the issues.
Coach companies were urged to contact their chosen ferry operators to get the latest information. Passengers complained that they had spent the day stranded, with one parent tweeting that they and their children - who arrived via coach at midday - were still waiting for a place on a ferry at 21:00 BST.
Passengers complained that they had spent Friday stranded, with one parent tweeting that they and their children - who arrived via coach at midday - were still waiting for a place on a ferry at 21:00 BST. Student Oliver Quigley-Brown, who was travelling to France for a university ski trip, told the BBC he had been warned he faced a 14-hour delay.
Student Oliver Quigley-Brown, who was travelling to France for a university ski trip, told the BBC he had been warned he faced a delay of 10 hours on top of the four he had already waited.
He said he had seen "a lot of stressed teachers" at the port, estimating there could be "thousands" of people from school and university groups stuck there.He said he had seen "a lot of stressed teachers" at the port, estimating there could be "thousands" of people from school and university groups stuck there.
Authorities had provided them with snacks and water, Mr Quigley-Brown said, but he added: "I don't they'd anticipated the kind of delays we're seeing." Authorities had provided them with snacks and water, Mr Quigley-Brown said, but he added: "I don't think they'd anticipated the kind of delays we're seeing."
P&O Ferries confirmed in a tweet at 21:00 that it was providing refreshments to passengers waiting in the buffer zone at the entrance of the port. Ferry operators have been sending coach traffic to alternative waiting areas in order to clear the backlog of vehicles within the port.
DFDS UK also tweeted that services to France were running with severe delays, and that passengers would be transferred to "the first available departure". DFDS UK tweeted that services to France were running with delays of up to 2.5 hours - but urged passengers to check in as normal.
A spokesperson for P&O said the queues were "a result of bad weather causing delays to sailings, combined with high volumes of traffic, and particularly coach groups". In its own Twitter update, P&O Ferries stressed that it had "no control" over the border checks, but that coaches would be on "the next crossing to Calais after clearing check-in".
"We apologise for the wait times and have put on an extra sailing this evening to help clear the backlog," it added. A spokesperson for P&O earlier apologised for the wait times - which were blamed on bad weather delaying sailings - as well as "high volumes of traffic... particularly coach groups".
As well as the situation at Dover, there are fears of disrupted Easter getaways due to strikes affecting London's Heathrow Airport.As well as the situation at Dover, there are fears of disrupted Easter getaways due to strikes affecting London's Heathrow Airport.
Hundreds of security officers in the Unite union have begun 10 days of industrial action over pay - though the airport said it was operating "as normal" on Friday.Hundreds of security officers in the Unite union have begun 10 days of industrial action over pay - though the airport said it was operating "as normal" on Friday.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
FerriesFerries
P&O ferriesP&O ferries
DoverDover