As the summer holiday season kicks off, the Port of Dover is gearing up for one of its busiest weekends. Concerns are mounting over potential delays due to the implementation of new European Union border procedures. With schools in England and Wales beginning their summer break, thousands of vehicles are anticipated to pass through Dover, as travelers make their way to the continent.
The introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has added a layer of complexity to the travel process. French border officials are tasked with manually registering non-EU travelers, as the automated processing facilities face delays owing to technical issues. During this initial phase, biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs will not be collected, yet the manual process is expected to lengthen waiting times and may lead to congestion at the port.
In addition to potential delays at the port, motoring organizations are cautioning drivers about the likelihood of heavy traffic on major UK roads. This is particularly expected around London and on routes leading to the southwest, as millions embark on summer leisure trips. Many vacationers are choosing to stay within the UK for their holidays, citing favorable weather, apprehensions about flight disruptions, and increasing travel costs as key factors in their decision.
The Port of Dover has issued guidance for passengers to stick to designated routes and to arrive no more than two hours ahead of their scheduled ferry departure. Meanwhile, airport operators and airlines are also warning travelers to prepare for possible delays as they navigate the peak holiday travel period.