As the summer holiday season kicks off, the Port of Dover is bracing for what promises to be one of its busiest weekends of the year. The start of the school holidays in England and Wales is expected to send thousands of vehicles through the port, with travelers eager to reach continental destinations. However, there are concerns that the introduction of new European Union border procedures could lead to extended waiting times for those heading to Europe.
French border officials are set to implement manual registration for non-EU travelers under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), a move prompted by technical delays in the automated processing facilities. While this phase will not involve the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs, the manual nature of the process is anticipated to slow down processing times, potentially causing congestion at the port.
In addition to the anticipated delays at Dover, motoring organizations have issued warnings about heavy traffic on major UK roads. This is particularly true for routes around London and those leading to the southwest, as millions embark on summer leisure trips. Many individuals are choosing to vacation domestically due to factors like favorable weather, concerns over potential flight disruptions, and the rising costs of international travel.
To manage the expected surge in passengers, the Port of Dover has advised travelers to stick to designated routes and to arrive no earlier than two hours before their ferry is scheduled to depart. In a similar vein, airport operators and airlines have also cautioned travelers to be prepared for possible delays as the peak holiday travel period gets underway. This advisory comes as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of increased passenger numbers and ensure smoother travel experiences for all.