The Port of Dover has criticised the “woefully inadequate” resource at the French border overnight and early this morning, declaring a critical incident as passengers and HGV drivers face hours of queues at the Kent port.
“We are deeply frustrated that the resource at the French border overnight and early this morning has been woefully inadequate to meet our predicted demand and even more deeply regret the consequences that will now be felt by so many,” the Port of Dover said in a statement, adding that it had made significant investment in resilience and capacity in anticipation of the increased volumes passing through the port.
“Knowing we are now in a new world of post-Brexit and Covid checks, we worked to increase interim French border control booths by 50% and has improved traffic systems in order to build in resilience and capacity in time for the summer.
“We have worked particularly hard, and extremely positively up to now, with our Police Aux Frontieres colleagues over recent months to plan for the traffic volumes that were fully expected. We have shared traffic volumes in granular detail with the French authorities in order that these volumes can be matched by adequate border resource.”
The Dover route remains the most popular sea route to France.
Image courtesy Port of Dover
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