Drivers complained about the chaos in Dover Harbor as they again faced long queues at border controls.
This is the third day (May 29) of disturbances in the busiest port in the United Kingdom, after delays on Friday and Saturday.
Ferry companies are urging passengers to be patient, with DFDS saying it is “aware” of delays in UK and French border controls.
Eyewitnesses at the port said only two passport booths were open, further exacerbating the situation.
The port appealed to holidaymakers, asking them not to travel to the port unless they had a “reserved travel ticket”.
In a series of tweets, he acknowledged that “all roads” to the port are “extremely busy” and said that ferry operators will make passengers travel on all available services.
One passenger told ITV Meridian that they had been in line for 4 and a half hours before they could finally get through customs.
They were booked by the DFDS, which put them on a boat that was still waiting.
Others have been unlucky, with hundreds intervening on Twitter to complain about delays and confusion.
Another said the situation was “really appalling” after sitting motionless for more than two and a half hours in a queue without “no movement or communication”.
They added that it was “shambol” and could hardly be a surprise, as it was expected to be a busy weekend.
Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elfike said she was “concerned” that half-term holiday traffic had brought chaos to the area again.
She said the TAP road management system had caused “overnight misery” for Aycliffe residents in Dover and called for a review of the current approach to traffic management in the area.
She said: “It is worrying that the half-semester escape is once again wreaking havoc on traffic in Dover.
“The TAP road management system caused two nights of misery for the residents of Aycliffe in Dover. Today we also see the construction of rats through the town of Dover.
“I remain in frequent contact with the Kent Sustainability Forum and the Ministers of Transport to keep Dover clean.
“It is vital to review the current approach of the National Plaster Highways – which is no longer working for Dover, Kent or the United Kingdom as a whole.”
The traffic intensified for several miles on the A20, as well as on local roads.
Many drivers, including those traveling locally, have become stuck in tourist traffic, unable to move.
This has led to restrictions on local bus services as vehicles have been blocked in Dover.
Stagecoach said she was forced to terminate her 102 service because of “trucks blocking Dover.”
A statement from Dover Harbor said the situation was likely to remain in place for “several hours”.
It says: “The port is working with its French counterparts to move tourist traffic through border controls as quickly as possible.
“The port is very busy working with all ferry operators to minimize delays once through border controls.”
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