The Port of Dover is gearing up for a surge in activity as the summer holiday season kicks off, anticipating one of the busiest weekends of the year. This comes amid concerns over potential delays caused by new European Union border procedures. As schools in England and Wales close for the summer break, a large number of vehicles are expected to transit through the port, leading to possible congestion.
In a bid to manage border crossings, French officials have implemented a manual registration process for non-EU travelers, due to delays in automated processing systems under the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). While this phase does not yet include biometric data collection such as fingerprints and photographs, the manual process is likely to extend processing times at the border.
Simultaneously, motoring organizations have issued notices about expected heavy traffic on major UK roads, especially around London and routes heading to the southwest, as millions embark on summer vacations. Many travelers are choosing to holiday domestically, influenced by favorable weather conditions, concerns over potential flight disruptions, and increasing travel costs.
To mitigate congestion, the Port of Dover has advised travelers to stick to designated routes and to arrive at the port no more than two hours before their scheduled ferry departures. Similarly, airport operators and airlines have cautioned passengers to prepare for possible delays as the peak travel season gets underway.