The port of Dover declared a “critical incident” today (July 22) as queues built up due to problems with French immigration controls.
The Kent port said it was “deeply frustrated” that the resource at the French border overnight and early this morning has been “woefully inadequate” to meet the predicted demand at the start of the summer holiday travel peak.
P&O Ferries warned of “heavy traffic” at border control, urging passengers to allow “at least six hours” to clear security.
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister told Sky News: “We’ve been let down this morning despite the planning of the last several months to get ready for this day.
“This is causing major disruption. French border controls are not properly staffed.
“It’s somewhat down to longer than normal transaction times as well, but mainly it’s inadequate personnel numbers.”
Resource at the French border overnight and early this morning has been woefully inadequate to meet our predicted demand as the summer getaway period commences. Our full statement: https://t.co/tnoCLNU9Utpic.twitter.com/ZdUmYh1geF
— Port of Dover (@Port_of_Dover) July 22, 2022
A statement from the port said: “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.
“The Port of Dover made significant investment and delivered on this. We trained a new team of passenger champions to be on hand and assist customers at the port. They are there working hard and doing all they can to help them. We also have provided enhanced amenities, such as toilets and refreshments, as well as water refilling stations, to look after customers.
“We have worked particularly hard, and extremely positively up to now, with our Police Aux Frontieres (PAF) 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 and France remains one of the key holiday destinations for British families.
“We know that resource is finite, but the popularity of Dover is not a surprise. Regrettably, the PAF resource has been insufficient and has fallen far short of what is required to ensure a smooth first weekend of the peak summer getaway period.”
The port added: “We will continue to work with all Kent partners to look after those caught up in the current situation, which could and should have been avoided, and play our part in resolving it as soon as possible.
“Working with and through the UK government, we will also liaise constructively with PAF to work through the present logjam and to stress again the importance of adequate French border resource for the coming days and weeks on which we had previously been assured.
“We have to work as a team, and when we do the system works incredibly well, but it is reliant on every team member playing their part.”
#PODover Please be aware that there is heavy traffic at border control in the port of Dover. If you are booked to travel today please allow at least 6hrs to clear all security checks. Rest assured, if you miss your sailing, you’ll be on the first available once at check-in.
— P&O Ferries Updates (@POferriesupdate) July 22, 2022
Meanwhile, the Unite union is urging passengers to treat aviation workers with respect and to understand that they are working in extremely difficult circumstances.
In the majority of cases workers report working 60 hours, including 20 hours of overtime, a week as standard.