Drivers warned of more port chaos
THOUSANDS of holidaymakers were warned yesterday to prepare for a fresh round of delays at Britain’s busiest port amid fears of a repeat of last weekend’s chaos.
The authorities told drivers to leave plenty of time to get to Dover and stock up on food, fuel and water in case of hold-ups.
Once drivers get across the Channel they face France’s Black Saturday when the country’s roads snarl up for the great holiday getaway.
French officials advised motorists to delay journeys until tomorrow and warned of a second Black Saturday a week today.
Last weekend about 250,000 motorists heading for Dover faced delays of up to 14 hours and 12 mile tailbacks in sweltering conditions.
The chaos was caused by a French anti-terror crackdown after a spate of atrocities.
But France failed to provide enough passport staff at Dover with only three of seven booths open at one point and just one official to check each coach on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Trapped motorists claimed the slowdown was France’s revenge for Brexit.
Britain has drafted in Border Force officials to help France’s Dover-based passport officers in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the chaos. Traffic was running smoothly yesterday as the getaway swung into gear.
But Kent County Council has stocked up on more than 52,000 two-litre bottles of water to be distributed if congestion develops.
And Highways England said: “French border police at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel continue to follow French government requirements to deliver heightened security checks to keep the travelling public safe following the recent attacks in France.” Highways England and Kent County Council both stated: “Drivers are advised to be prepared for any delays on their journeys and allow plenty of time to reach their destinations.
“Check travel conditions before setting out and, where it is safe to do so, during journeys and ensure they and their cars are ready for the journey – especially having plenty of fuel in their vehicle, and food, water and things to do for the people in it.”