As the summer holiday season kicks off, the Port of Dover is bracing for a surge in traffic, anticipating one of its busiest weekends of the year. This comes amid concerns that new European Union border procedures could extend wait times for travelers making their way to the continent. The port is expecting thousands of vehicles as schools in England and Wales officially break for summer.
The manual registration of non-EU travelers by French border officials is set to commence due to delays in the automated facilities of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which faced technical setbacks. Although this phase will not involve collecting biometric data like fingerprints and photographs, the reliance on manual processing is likely to slow down operations and could lead to congestion at Dover.
Travel experts are also predicting substantial traffic on major UK roadways, particularly around London and the southwest, as millions embark on summer trips. With favorable weather, concerns over flight disruptions, and rising travel costs, many are opting to holiday domestically this year. This shift in travel preferences adds another layer of pressure to the nation’s transport infrastructure.
Travelers heading to the Port of Dover have been advised to stick to designated routes and to arrive no more than two hours before their scheduled ferry departures to help manage flow and minimize delays. Simultaneously, airports and airlines are preparing passengers for potential delays as the peak holiday season unfolds, emphasizing the importance of planning and patience during this busy travel period.