The Port of Dover is gearing up for a significant surge in activity as the summer holiday season kicks off, with schools in England and Wales commencing their breaks. This weekend is expected to be one of the busiest of the year for the port, as a large number of vehicles head to the continent. However, new border procedures introduced by the European Union could potentially lead to extended waiting times for travelers.
Under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), French border officials will be manually registering non-EU travelers this season. This step comes after delays in the deployment of automated facilities due to technical issues. Though the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and photos will not be part of this phase, the manual processing is anticipated to slow down transit times, which might cause congestion at the port.
In addition to the expected delays at the port, motoring organizations have issued warnings about anticipated heavy traffic on major UK roads. High traffic volumes are expected particularly around London and on routes leading to the southwest as millions embark on their summer holidays. A notable number of travelers are choosing to holiday within the UK, motivated by favorable weather forecasts, concerns over possible flight disruptions, and the increasing costs of international travel.
As a precautionary measure, the Port of Dover has advised passengers to adhere to designated routes and to arrive no more than two hours before their ferry’s scheduled departure. Meanwhile, airport operators and airlines have also alerted travelers to the likelihood of delays as the peak holiday period unfolds.
