A Christmas travel nightmare is unfolding at Dover, where ferry passengers are facing significant delays due to unexpected IT issues at the French border.
The technology problems began before the peak travel period on Saturday morning, causing a ripple effect of delays that continued throughout the day. Port of Dover Travel, in an X post at 9:21 a.m., acknowledged ongoing issues resulting in delays, and later confirmed at 12:02 p.m. that the situation was still unresolved.
The organization, which has not provided further updates, also advised passengers not to arrive more than two hours before their scheduled ferry departure. This is a challenging ask, given the estimated 30,000 cars expected to board for outward journeys during the festive period, with traffic peaking between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.
To make matters worse, the UK is forecast to experience its busiest Christmas getaway ever. P&O Ferries, which operates some ships from the port, reported large queues on approach roads and in the buffer area.
But here's where it gets controversial: once passengers make it through the border, they're promised a smooth journey with no check-in delays.
The Port of Dover, in its X post, also requested that all port-bound traffic stick to the main roads leading to the port (the A20 and A2) to keep local roads clear for the community. They assured passengers that if they miss their scheduled sailing due to wait times, their ferry operator will place them on the next available crossing.
Simon Jones, an AA expert patrol, offered some advice: "It's beginning to look a lot like traffic congestion. Our simple advice is to plan ahead, check your route, and allow extra time. Patience is the key to a smoother journey this Christmas."
So, what do you think? Are these delays an inevitable part of festive travel, or is there more that could be done to prevent such issues? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
