JUST WHEN WE CAN FINALLY GO ON OUR HOLS..
Huge delays on roads, flights & ferries for first Easter escape in three years
BY STEPHEN HAYWARD
THE travel chaos blighting the Easter holidays could drag on into summer, experts say.
The misery continued for many yesterday with long ferry delays and disruption at airports.
And industry chiefs warned that a lack of staff and Covidrelated absences could result in the chaos lasting for months.
The news came as a blow for families heading to the continent for the first Easter since travel restrictions ended.
A 23-mile stretch of the M20 remained closed yesterday as 4,000 lorries waited at Dover.
The delays were made worse due to the continued suspension of P&O Ferries services after the company sacked 800 staff without notice last month.
Richard Ballantyne, of the British Port Authority, warned it would take several days to clear the backlog of traffic.
WAITS
He said: “Unfortunately, the advice for many is bring food and water and prepare for long waits.”
Rival ferry firms had taken on some P&O bookings but had no spare capacity until tomorrow.
P&O said it hoped to resume its Dover to Calais service within the next few days, subject to a Coastguard inspection.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was “very concerned” by the delays and called on travel operators to “redouble their efforts” to help holidaymakers get away.
But Labour’s Louise Haigh accused the Government of being “missing in action”, and said: “They should be talking with ferry operators and Eurotunnel to boost capacity.” Meanwhile, more than 100 flights were cancelled as sickness hit.
Manchester airport urged travellers to arrive three hours before departure, with queues of up to 90 minutes at security.
Officials said the hold-ups could go on for months.
British Airways said it had reduced its schedule until the end of May as a precaution but most flights were unaffected.
EasyJet also said it will operate most of its weekend flights.
But Which? travel editor Rory Boland said some airlines had left themselves “woefully understaffed” for the bounce-back.
UNFAIR
He said: “It’s unfair that individuals pay the price with lost holidays and money wasted on travel and expense at airports.”
Soaring sickness among border officials could also mean more delays as Brits return home.
Lucy Moreton, of the Immigration Services Union, said: “Increased absence and other pressures mean a perfect storm.”
Michael Foote, of moneysaving site quotegoat.com, said compensation for flights cancelled less than seven days before departure ranged from £110 to £520. But ABTA said “very few” had missed flights due to delays.
s.hayward@sundaymirror.co.uk