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Dover Port Expects Heavy Traffic as EU Border System Faces Technical Issues
Technical problems with the EU entry-exit system are forcing manual checks at Dover as millions of drivers begin summer holidays. The port expects up to 10,000 cars on Saturday while automated facilities remain offline.
Jul 17, 1:00 AM·1m read1 source
The GuardianAudio version
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Technical issues with the EU’s entry-exit system have caused congestion on roads leading to the port of Dover, where French border police will manually register non-EU travelers this summer. The Guardian reported that the new £40m automated facility at the port cannot operate because of software problems in France, preventing biometric registration of photographs and fingerprints.
About 7,500 cars traveling to France are expected at Dover on Friday and 10,000 on Saturday.
The port has urged holidaymakers to use only main roads and arrive no more than two hours before their booked sailing. Eurotunnel said it does not anticipate delays at the Channel tunnel despite similar limitations on its automated kiosks. The RAC and Inrix forecast the heaviest traffic on Friday on sections of the M25 linking to the M3 southwest of London.
More than 14 million drivers are expected to begin leisure trips this weekend, the biggest domestic getaway since 2022, as most schools in England and Wales close for the summer. Harriet Hernando, RAC spokesperson, stated: “The great British summer staycation is about to get off to a flying start, with many opting to stay in the UK instead of travelling abroad.
” The AA said its surveys showed about one in five drivers would set off on a leisure journey of 100 miles or more in the next week.
London Heathrow airport said Friday would likely be the busiest day as its peak summer season begins. Passengers flying into the Schengen area will complete EES formalities at airports on arrival and departure. Ryanair warned that UK passengers could be the testing ground for unfinished border infrastructure and identified Lisbon, Tenerife South, Alicante, Malaga and Milan Bergamo as recurring hotspots for EES-related delays.
