Key Takeaways
- Tens of thousands of ferry passengers at the Port of Dover are experiencing delays due to IT problems with French border control
- Almost 30,000 cars are expected to travel out of the port during the festive period, with traffic peaking between 6am and 1pm from Friday to Sunday
- An estimated 37.5m leisure trips by car are planned between Wednesday and Christmas Eve, making it the busiest Christmas getaway on record in the UK
- Travel experts are warning people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys to avoid delays
- National Highways will remove as many roadworks as possible to minimize disruptions during the holiday season
Introduction to the Christmas Getaway
The Christmas travel plans of tens of thousands of ferry passengers at the Port of Dover have been disrupted due to IT problems with French border control. This issue has caused delays and congestion at the port, with almost 30,000 cars expected to travel out of the port during the festive period. The port authorities have urged passengers not to arrive more than two hours before their ferry departure time and to remain on the main roads to the port, the A20 and A2, to avoid causing further congestion on local roads.
The Cause of the Delays
The IT problems with French border control began on Saturday morning, causing significant delays for passengers traveling out of the Port of Dover. The port authorities have stated that they are working with partner agencies to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. P&O Ferries, which operates some of the ships from the port, has reported large queues on the approach roads and in the buffer area, but once through, passengers are having a smooth check-in with no delays. The company has urged customers to allow extra time for their journey to account for the potential delays.
The Busiest Christmas Getaway on Record
The UK is expected to experience the busiest Christmas getaway on record, with an estimated 37.5m leisure trips by car planned between Wednesday and Christmas Eve. The RAC has warned that journeys have the potential to be "Grinch-worthy" without careful planning, as record numbers of people take to the roads simultaneously. The week before Christmas is one of the few times of the year when most of the UK hits the road at the same time, making it a challenging period for travelers. Travel experts are advising people to plan ahead, check their route, and allow extra time to avoid delays.
Advice for Travelers
Travel experts are urging people to be patient and plan ahead to avoid delays during the holiday season. Shaun Jones, an AA expert patrolperson, has advised travelers to "plan ahead, check your route, and allow extra time" to minimize the risk of delays. The RAC’s mobile servicing and repairs team leader, Nick Mullender, has also emphasized the importance of careful planning, stating that "with record numbers predicted to be taking to the roads this Christmas, journeys have the potential to be Grinch-worthy without some careful planning." National Highways has announced that it will remove as many roadworks as possible to minimize disruptions during the holiday season.
Minimizing Disruptions
National Highways, which manages England’s motorways and major A roads, has stated that it will "remove as many roadworks as we safely can so everyone can get where they need to go this Christmas." This effort is aimed at minimizing disruptions and reducing the risk of delays during the holiday season. By removing roadworks and minimizing disruptions, National Highways hopes to make the journey smoother and less stressful for travelers. Additionally, the Port of Dover has urged passengers to remain on the main roads to the port and to avoid using local roads, which will help to reduce congestion and minimize delays.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Christmas travel plans of tens of thousands of ferry passengers at the Port of Dover have been disrupted due to IT problems with French border control. The UK is expected to experience the busiest Christmas getaway on record, with an estimated 37.5m leisure trips by car planned between Wednesday and Christmas Eve. Travel experts are urging people to plan ahead, check their route, and allow extra time to avoid delays. By following this advice and taking steps to minimize disruptions, travelers can help to make their journey smoother and less stressful during the holiday season.