French security checks cause four-hour ferry delays at Dover

Terror fears have led to severe delays at the port of Dover, reportedly leaving hundreds of motorists stranded overnight after security checks were heightened at the request of French authorities.

Holidaymakers and lorry drivers have been warned they face queues lasting hours and have been advised to stock up on food and water as the great summer getaway begins.

There are currently severe delays on the A20 and the A2 and there are measures in place to split tourist, freight and local traffic.

Highways England said in a statement on their website that "French border police at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel continue to follow French government requirements to deliver heightened security checks" following recent attacks.

“The A20 is closed eastbound between the M20 J13 and the junction with the A260 near Folkestone for the safety of traffic queuing to enter the Port of Dover so that it does not have to queue within the Roundhill Tunnel.”

The Port of Dover advised local traffic to use alternative routes through the official Twitter account and said approximate waiting times on roads approaching the port was around four hours.

British officials are being drafted in to work with French border police after the Government admitted motorists had suffered “extraordinary disruption” at Dover.

Those using the route to cross the channel have been warned the chaos seen on Saturday could last right through to Monday.

Late on Saturday, after a full day of disruption, the Home Office said it would send in the UK Border Force to help French authorities at the Port of Dover.

Port authorities said French border control booths at Dover had been “seriously understaffed overnight”, claiming coaches were at one point having to wait 40 minutes each for all passengers to be checked in as only one French officer was available.

A spokesman said concerns about staffing levels were raised with the Government earlier in the week, and said those had been passed to French authorities.

The Government said as well as increased help with border checks, Kent police will be “proactively managing” traffic to get drivers through more quickly.

A Government spokeswoman said: “We recognise the security pressures that French law enforcement organisations are under at Dover and we have agreed the UK Border Force will assist the PAF (French border police) with border checks to remove the backlog.

”We understand that there has been extraordinary disruption in the Dover area today but safety is paramount.

“Measures are also being taken on the approach to the port where Kent Police will be proactively managing traffic to speed up the process.”

P&O Ferries tweeted: “Heightened security check at French Border Control in Dover due to events in France, we'll get you on your way as soon as you check in.”

Dale Savage who has been caught in the delays for 12 hours as he makes his way to his brother's wedding, told BBC Breakfast “there was a bit of a camping spirit going on” among those stuck in the jam.

He said: "There are a lot of kids here, a lot of young children – a lot of people want to go on their holidays.

“There are no real frustrations, the real problem was no one knew what was going on – were not quite sure why we were being held there – wasn't sure whether it was an accident or something had happened further down in the port.

“There was a bit of a camping spirit going on, very much like Glastonbury earlier on in the year, but without the benefit of having a band to see at the end of it.”

Press Association