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Port of Dover announces significant incident as high level of traffic causes long delay
Suella Braverman has said it is not “fair” to blame the hours-long delay at the port of Dover on Brexit.
The Home Secretary said that in general “things are going very smoothly at the border” and he did not think “this is a situation to escalate”.
“What I would say is intense times when there’s a lot of pressure to cross the Channel, whether it’s on a tunnel or a ferry, so I think there’s always going to be a backup and I would urge everyone to have a little patience.” while ferry companies work their way through the backlog,” she told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuensberg programme.
This morning, port officials warned passengers were still facing long queues after spending the extra night wharf Failed to clear the backlog of waiting coaches.
At around 7.40am, P&O Ferries posted an update saying the waiting time at Dover was four to five hours.
Long queues are expected to continue on Sunday – a disappointing start, officials said Easter Break.
Operators P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways reported delays to ferry and coach services, citing bad weather and hold-ups at French border controls as partly responsible.
WATCH: Not ‘fair’ to blame Dover chaos on Brexit, says Suella Braverman
Blaming Dover chaos on Brexit not ‘fair’, says Suella Braverman
Maryam Zakir Hussain2 April 2023 09:21
Additional ferries fail to clear backlog as port warns of hour-long queues
P&O Ferries said they “engaged additional rowers overnight to help clear the backlog of traffic” to help clear traffic.
However, at 3 am on Sunday, he said the additional ferries did not help clear the backlog as the queues went on for nearly 10 hours.
After 7.30 am, he said the queues were around four to five hours, while the port said the queues were running for around three to four hours.
He said: “We apologize for the wait times at Dover this morning. The current wait at the entrance to Dover port is approximately 4-5 hours. Once coaches have arrived at our check in desk they will proceed to the next crossing to Calais But will be
Maryam Zakir Hussain2 April 2023 07:38
Brexit is not to blame for Dover chaos, says Suella Braverman – who claims smooth operation since EU exit
Home secretary claims it was “unfair” to blame post-Brexit passport checks for port chaos Easter Holidaymakers find themselves in dire straits at the border with France.
Maryam Zakir Hussain2 April 2023 10:00
Braverman says delay at Dover ‘will be comforting’
Suella Braverman has played down any fears that delays at Dover could become a regular occurrence.
Asked whether this could happen every school holiday, the Home Secretary said: “No, not at all.”
He suggested that in general “things are running pretty smoothly at the border”.
“I don’t think this is the situation to move forward,” he told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuensberg programme.
“I think we have a special combination of factors happening at this point in time.”
“That will make it easier. I ask everyone to time their travels carefully, but it is a busy time of year.
(Reuters)
Maryam Zakir Hussain2 April 2023 09:50
Simon Calder explains why there are delays at Dover
Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has explained why the delay at Dover has proved so long at the start of the Easter break.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “They need to stamp passports as we asked them to do. And on a coach that has to be repeated 50 or 60 times.
Dover chaos: Simon Calder explains why Brexit is to blame for the massive backlog
Maryam Zakir Hussain2 April 2023 08:40
ICYMI: Starmer urges government to ‘catch up’ on delay at Dover
Labour’s Keir Starmer urged the government to “hold on” to the situation at Dover as coach traffic suffered “significant delays” that could last up to 16 hours.
Keir Starmer urges government to ‘catch up’ on delay at Dover
Labour’s Keir Starmer urged the government to “hold on” to the situation at Dover as coach traffic suffered “significant delays” that could last up to 16 hours. Thousands of passengers queued at the port as the Easter holiday began, after a serious incident was declared overnight on Friday. Operators P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways reported delays to ferry and coach services, citing bad weather and hold-ups at French border controls as partly responsible. Later on Saturday morning, a spokesman said the queues were reducing. Sign up for our newsletters.
Shravasti Dasgupta2 April 2023 07:30
Easter travel chaos: all the rail, road and flight disruptions happening
Transport strikes, rail engineering work and traffic congestion are making Easter 2023 a very challenging time to travel.
How likely are you that your Easter getaway will be affected by transportation issues?
Shravasti Dasgupta2 April 2023 07:00
Why Brexit is to blame for the holiday traffic chaos at Dover
“While all eyes (at least four of me) were on Heathrow Terminal 5, where a 10-day strike by security staff began on Friday, the traditional great stampede took place at the Port of Dover this Easter.”
Shravasti Dasgupta2 April 2023 06:30
Port of Dover warns of 10-hour delay
The Port of Dover has warned passengers of 10-hour delays as long queues continue.
“Unfortunately the situation is similar with regard to waiting time being experienced by coach passengers. The port said in a statement on Sunday morning, waiting almost 10 hours at the back of the queue to reach check in.
Shravasti Dasgupta2 April 2023 06:00
‘Frustrated’ Dover officers blame ‘lengthy French border procedures’
Port of Dover officials say they are “deeply disappointed” about significant traffic delays, which have seen thousands of passengers queue for up to 16 hours as the Easter exodus begins.
A severe event was announced overnight on Friday, and operators P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways reported delays to ferry and coach services, partly citing bad weather and a hold-up at French border controls.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain, Andy Gregory reports:
Shravasti Dasgupta2 April 2023 05:30