France Suspends New EU Border Checks at Dover After Queues Form

French border officials suspended new EU entry-exit system checks at the Port of Dover on Saturday after travellers faced extended queues. The Port of Dover said it had raised the situation with French authorities, who agreed to pause the additional processing steps. Officials stated the change would help clear the backlog and reduce pressure on nearby roads.

The checks are part of the European Union's new entry-exit system, which records fingerprints and facial images for non-EU travellers. At Dover, French officers had not yet activated the biometric machines but were still required to create new traveller profiles, lengthening each inspection. Traffic leaving the port was directed onto the A2 only.

Passengers who missed scheduled ferry departures were told they could board the next available sailing. The disruption occurred during the UK May bank holiday weekend, when daytime temperatures reached the upper 20s Celsius and were forecast to climb further.