The Port of Dover is gearing up for one of its busiest weekends as the summer holiday season kicks off, with potential travel delays due to new European Union border protocols. As schools in England and Wales start their summer breaks, a surge of vehicles is expected at Dover, where travelers heading to Europe might experience longer wait times.
The delays are attributed to the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), where French border officials will manually register non-EU travelers. This manual process comes after automated systems faced technical setbacks, preventing the collection of biometric data like fingerprints and photos. As a result, the manual checks are anticipated to extend processing times, potentially causing congestion at the port.
On top of the port’s challenges, motoring organizations are cautioning about heavy traffic on major UK roads. Routes in and around London and those leading southwest are expected to see significant congestion as millions set off on summer trips. Many people are choosing to vacation domestically this year, drawn by favorable weather forecasts, concerns about flight disruptions, and the increasing costs of international travel.
To mitigate issues, the Port of Dover is advising passengers to stick to designated routes and arrive no more than two hours before their ferry departure times. Similarly, airports and airlines are alerting travelers to the possibility of delays as the peak holiday travel period begins.