The Port of Dover has pledged further improvements to ensure better handling of cross-Channel traffic over the summer.
New operational measures were introduced over the peak May half-term weekend in an effort to avoid chaos that led to coaches being delayed by up to 24 hours at the start of the Easter holidays.
The Kent port processed more than 15,000 tourist vehicles, including coaches, over the May holiday weekend, with the average wait time not exceeding 45 minutes during the busiest period.
Coach traffic has increased by more than 200% while passenger numbers have risen by 65% so far this year compared to the first five months of 2022.
Dover port chef executive Doug Bannister said: “Through a collaborated effort with our three ferry operators, coach associations and Police aux Frontières (PAF), we efficiently managed peak traffic flows over the May half-term.
“Overall, passenger wait times were as predicted and the new measures implemented proved to be extremely effective; even during the challenging period on the Saturday morning of the peak weekend when French border colleagues were resolving their temporary IT issues, the maximum wait did not exceed two hours.
“Coach passengers who travelled through the port over half-term were the first to experience our new processing system and increased resource levels.
“Now, we are focused on the upcoming summer period and planning the implementation of even more improvements, including the addition of a permanent coach border processing facility to replace contingency measures in the buffer zone. This in turn will improve the border capacity for cars travelling onto ferries.”
Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport – which called for crisis talks following the Easter delays – said: “We worked closely with the port in the run-up to May half-term to ensure the needs of coach operators and passengers were fully understood.
“We welcome the port’s response to our calls for more French border control staff and improved coach facilities, and recognise the port’s determination to deliver a much better customer experience.
“A significant amount of preparation has gone into creating an effective plan for handling coaches and half-term demonstrated how the plan works.
“The Confederation of Passenger Transport will continue to work with our Dover partners to ensure the coach industry continues to benefit from investment in infrastructure and can enjoy a successful summer.”