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Dover delays ease after traffic 'buffer zone' cleared Dover delays clear after 'buffer zone' empties
(about 3 hours later)
Coaches wait on Sunday evening to enter the Port of DoverCoaches wait on Sunday evening to enter the Port of Dover
Delays at the Port of Dover have eased, with traffic tailbacks now cleared after a weekend of disruption. Delays at Dover have cleared, with port authorities saying traffic is flowing as normal after days of disruption.
A "buffer zone" within the port has been emptied of coaches, ferry operators said in overnight updates. The situation was "all clear" from 00:30 on Monday morning, a port spokesperson confirmed to the BBC.
P&O said there were no more queues for the port's entrance, while DFDS said border controls were "free-flowing". A "buffer zone" within the port had been emptied of coaches, ferry operators said in an earlier update.
Some people had reported waiting 17 hours at Dover. Port officials blamed delays on slow border processing and more coaches than had been expected. Some people had reported waiting 17 hours at Dover. Officials blamed delays on slow border processing and more coaches than had been expected.
Their latest update - issued on Sunday evening - said all traffic had finally managed to enter the port. On Monday morning, they again offered an apology and thanked passengers for their patience.
Disruption was first reported on Friday, with bad weather taking some of the blame from the ferry operators. Disruption was first reported on Friday, with bad weather taking some of the blame from ferry operatorsP&O and DFDS.
The port repeatedly apologised for the situation, which saw a "critical incident" declared and affected many holidaymakers' Easter getaways. Coach passengers were particularly hard-hit. The situation saw a "critical incident" declared and affected many holidaymakers' Easter getaways. Coach passengers were particularly hard-hit.
Border processing times have increased sharply after the UK left the European Union, travel expert Simon Calder told BBC News on Saturday.Border processing times have increased sharply after the UK left the European Union, travel expert Simon Calder told BBC News on Saturday.
He said things were "gumming up" as each individual passport had to be inspected and stamped post-Brexit.He said things were "gumming up" as each individual passport had to be inspected and stamped post-Brexit.
This view was rejected by the home secretary.This view was rejected by the home secretary.
Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Suella Braverman blamed a "combination of factors" - including a high volume of coaches.Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Suella Braverman blamed a "combination of factors" - including a high volume of coaches.
But the government needed to get a "grip" on the situation, Labour's shadow levelling-up secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News.But the government needed to get a "grip" on the situation, Labour's shadow levelling-up secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News.
Many coaches that got stuck in Dover were carrying schoolchildren from across the UK on school trips abroad.Many coaches that got stuck in Dover were carrying schoolchildren from across the UK on school trips abroad.
Late on Sunday, BBC News received reports of coachloads of children still waiting to cross the Channel having arrived at Dover late the previous day.Late on Sunday, BBC News received reports of coachloads of children still waiting to cross the Channel having arrived at Dover late the previous day.
Rob Howard, a teacher from Dorset travelling to Italy by coach with a group of schoolchildren, said his group had decided to turn around after waiting for more than 17 hours. Rob Howard, a teacher from Dorset taking a school group to Italy, said they had decided to turn around after waiting for more than 17 hours.
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