Holidaymakers and hauliers warned of THIRD day of chaos at Dover
Holidaymakers and hauliers have been warned of a third day of traffic chaos at Dover with huge queues of cars pictured waiting to reach border checks this morning.
Tens of thousands of exasperated families endured seven-hour delays trying to enter the port yesterday, with reports of some sleeping in their vehicles on the roadside overnight.
Extra post-Brexit border checks and French authorities’ understaffing of checkpoints in Dover have been blamed for the hold-ups.
The fiasco began early on Friday when French border officials operated just six of their 12 booths at Dover.
All of the booths were manned yesterday, but significant delays remained in trying to reach border checks at the Kent port.
There were hopes the situation would improve today, with the port claiming that traffic was once again ‘flowing normally’ in the early hours.
But the Kent Resilience Forum, which is responsible for coordinating the county’s response and recovery to emergencies, has warned that Sunday will remain another day filled with disruption and delays for both holidaymakers and hauliers.
An anti-Brexit French police chief has been blamed for the mayhem as a cross-Channel row over fault enrages.
Fernand Gontier, 62, director general of France’s PAF Border Police is accused of being responsible for there not having been enough French officers at Dover to help process checks on Friday.
Traffic pictured building at the Port of Dover early on Sunday amid warnings of another day of chaos
Holidaymakers and hauliers were pictured leaving their cars for fresh air as traffic became gridlocked
A long queue of cars trying to reach passport checks booths at the Port of Dover this morning
There were hopes the situation would improve today, with the port claiming that traffic was once again ‘flowing normally’ in the early hours
Holidaymakers wait outside their cars in gridlocked traffic pictured close to the Port of Dover this morning
A dejected looking man was among many to leave their cars after becoming stuck among the chaos
The Kent Resilience Forum has warned that Sunday will remain another day filled with disruption
As few as just six of 12 passport check booths were manned on Friday.
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke hit out at Mr Gontier, claiming he has ‘questions tp answer’ over the delays.
She said: ‘First, the French don’t turn up to work, then they refuse to apologise for ruining Brits’ well-deserved holidays.
‘No wonder people are asking whether this is yet more anti-British behaviour from the French to punish us for leaving the EU.
‘I’m really disappointed by Mr Gontier. How was this allowed to happen? ‘He’s responsible as the chief. He has questions to answer.’
A Port of Dover source also told The Sun: ‘It’s clear Mr Gontier is not a fan of Brexit.
‘It feels that them not opening at full capacity on Friday has caused a backlog still being seen today.’
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps blamed France for the ‘unacceptable’ delays, arguing that French passport authorities should have ensured enough staff were operating the passport booths, The Times reports.
And Foreign Secretary and Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss also said disruption was the fault of French authorities when asked if Brexit was the reason for the transport chaos.
Speaking at a campaign visit in Kent yesterday, she said: ‘This is a situation that has been caused by a lack of resource at the border.
‘And that is what the French authorities need to address and that is what I am being very clear with them about.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office later tweeted a statement from Ms Truss announcing that she had spoken to French foreign minister Catherine Colonna.
She said: ‘I was clear the French authorities have not put enough people on the border and we need to see action from then to resolve the terrible situation which travellers, including families, are facing.’
The message came after a tweet from Ms Colonna, who stated the pair had a ‘good talk’.
Ms Colonna added: ‘We welcomed the cooperation between our competent technical services to reduce the delays. Need also to improve the facilities of the port of Dover.’
But French politician Pierre-Henri Dumont, Republican MP for Calais, blamed delays on the UK’s exit from the EU, telling BBC News it was ‘an aftermath of Brexit’ with more checks needed and claiming the Dover port is ‘too small’ with too few kiosks due to lack of space.
Kent Roads surrounding the entrance to the station we at a standstill this morning and could worsen as the day continues
Long queues around the entrance to the Euro Tunnel in Folkestone, Kent, where similar delays have plagued travellers
Police at the scene in Folkestone as traffic becomes gridlocked on the approach to the Euro Tunnel
Earlier, Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said it was ‘immensely frustrating’ to be ‘let down’ by poor resourcing at the French border, adding that there will be ‘increased transaction times’ at the border due to extra checks needed.
He later said he welcomed the ‘commitment shown by both French and UK authorities to resolve the issue’, and added the required staffing levels must be maintained for the rest of the summer.
Natalie Chapman, from haulier group Logistics UK, echoed concerns about French staff numbers and Brexit changes.
She said: ‘As I say, the cause was that lack of resource yesterday but also, of course, it takes a lot longer to process through traffic than it used to.
‘You used to, prior to Brexit, just wave your passport and they may or may not be looked at but now every one is checked and stamped.’