Travellers heading to the Port of Dover this summer should prepare for significant delays, potentially lasting up to six hours. This situation arises from new post-Brexit border checks, which require biometric data collection from UK citizens entering the Schengen Area. While the port has invested heavily in infrastructure to manage this process, delays are exacerbated by technical issues on the French side, leaving the port reliant on outdated systems.
As families embark on summer holidays, the timing couldn’t be worse. With over 14 million motorists expected to travel, congestion is likely to disrupt not only leisure travel but also freight transport. The potential for delays raises concerns about perishable goods, such as live seafood, which could suffer in extreme heat conditions.
Despite calls from UK officials to postpone these checks until after the peak travel season, the EU has rejected such requests. This decision means that travellers may face long waits, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly and children, who could find the conditions intolerable.
The British government is attempting to mitigate the situation with additional funding aimed at reducing queues. However, local authorities warn that the true impact won’t be clear until schools break for summer, making it crucial for travellers to heed advice and arrive at the port no more than two hours before their sailing.
Source: LBC News
