Bank holiday travelers faced significant disruptions as long queues at Dover resulted in hours-long waiting times for ferry crossings. Thousands of Brits hoping to escape the UK for the holiday weekend encountered delays due to the scorching heat. The Port of Dover witnessed extensive queues as people sought to board ferries bound for mainland Europe.
To alleviate the congestion on one of the hottest days of the year, the port suspended new EU border checks. Motorists heading to the Eurotunnel also experienced delays, with check-in times in Folkestone exceeding an hour.
On Saturday morning, drivers encountered up to two hours of delays to reach the port, followed by additional wait times of up to two and a half hours for immigration and processing before boarding ferries. The new Entry/Exit System (EES) required travelers from third-party countries like the UK to undergo fingerprint registration and photography for entry into the Schengen Area.
In response to the travel chaos, the port informed holidaymakers that the current bank holiday was the first major period with the EES system in operation. French border teams worked diligently to reduce wait times and facilitate smoother journeys for travelers.
French authorities suspended extra EU border checks under the EES to ease congestion, allowing affected passengers to travel on the next available ferry slot at no extra cost. While Friday saw lengthy queues at Dover, the situation improved by Saturday afternoon, with processing times for tourist traffic decreasing to 50 minutes.
Despite the improvements, queues persisted in the check-in area and approach lanes for all ferry operators. The port anticipated over 8,000 travelers on Saturday, coinciding with a weekend where record temperatures were predicted across the UK.
High temperatures, possibly surpassing previous records, were expected, with parts of the UK potentially experiencing hotter weather than popular holiday destinations like the Seychelles. The UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat health alerts for several regions, warning of increased health risks, especially for older individuals or those with underlying health conditions.
Travelers were urged to stay informed and plan their journeys carefully amidst the ongoing heatwave.
