Port of Dover works to avoid summer travel chaos
It is hoped the long queues and delays seen over the May bank holiday will not be repeated.
Port of Dover Takes Steps to Prevent Summer Travel Disruptions
Efforts are underway to avoid the long lines and delays experienced during the May bank holiday.
The Port of Dover has taken "absolutely every measure" to prepare for the summer travel season amid concerns about potential delays due to new EU border checks, according to its chief executive, Doug Bannister. He expressed disappointment that a new Entry Exit System (EES) processing facility, part of a £40 million investment, is not operational for vehicles because the necessary technology has not been activated.
The EES, which was fully implemented in April, requires passengers to have their fingerprints and photographs taken to enter the Schengen Area. In May, the port declared a "critical incident" when wait times reached four and a half hours on a day with approximately 8,500 outbound vehicles.
While most UK travelers complete this process at foreign airports, it is also conducted at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's Folkestone terminal, and London St Pancras railway station, all of which feature juxtaposed border controls. Bannister recently informed MPs that the port could "face repeated episodes of severe congestion" this summer unless the EU allows for more flexibility in the EES, which has not occurred.
Most schools in England and Wales will begin their summer holidays at the end of this week or early next week, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have already concluded their academic year. The Port of Dover anticipates around 7,500 outbound cars on Friday, increasing to nearly 10,000 on Saturday. The following week is expected to be even busier, with about 10,500 outbound cars on both July 24 and 25.
It was initially hoped that many travelers would complete their EES registrations at the new Western Docks facility, which has 84 kiosks for recording biometric information. However, the French authorities have yet to activate these kiosks, and no timeline has been provided for when they will be operational.
"We delivered our Western Docks facility after investing £40 million of our capital," Bannister stated. "We were under constant pressure to have it operational according to the EES timeline, and it was specifically designed to manage our peak volumes safely and efficiently, yet we cannot use it. It is very disappointing."
Travelers are advised to stick to main roads when heading to the port and to arrive no more than two hours before their scheduled sailing. Since May, the port has added new border positions in its ferry terminal, and the French authorities have agreed to the proposed resource requirements.
Bannister remarked, "We've done absolutely everything we can... in preparing for the summer. But there are still many unknowns and uncertainties regarding how the EES process will impact travel."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently met with her French counterpart, Philippe Tabarot, to advocate for a practical approach to EES checks. Bannister noted that she has "leaned in personally to clarify the messages."
On Monday, the Department for Transport announced an additional £20 million in government funding to enhance infrastructure in Kent to help minimize delays, building on a previous £10.5 million investment shared among the three English sites with juxtaposed border controls.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
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Department for Transport