UK: Dover ferry port delays leave France-bound tourists stranded

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UK: Dover ferry port delays leave France-bound tourists stranded



DOVER: -- The summer holiday getaway was not supposed to begin in gridlock!

But delays at the English port of Dover have left tourists and truck drivers going nowhere – stuck for up to 15 hours as they line up to check in for ferries heading to France.

Increased security checks at understaffed French border posts, lack of foresight by British authorities and the sheer numbers on the road are being blamed for delays that saw some forced to sleep behind the wheel on Saturday night in monster traffic jams.

“I have lost all sense of time and motion today,” said one stranded motorist.

“Well, with three kids in the back you can imagine… We have still got little ones that need the toilet,” a woman said.

“I think the English, whatever they do, they never have a plan (as to) what to do. Don’t talk about the Brexit!” said a non-British woman, stuck in the traffic.

But some frustrated motorists are talking about Brexit, claiming the chaos is ‘payback time’ for Britain voting to leave the European Union!

That is a suggestion dismissed by Patrick McLoughlin, Chairman of Britain’s ruling Conservative Party.

And Brexit is certainly not the official explanation either, from the French side.

France is tightening up security in the wake of the Bastille Day terror attacks in Nice.

UK officials have now been sent in to help French colleagues clear the backlog and cut waiting times.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-07-25

[billd766]

Also most of the schools broke up for the summer holidays as well so there will be more people trying to travel to Europe.

Depending on where you are heading to there are many other ports in the UK from Harwich around to Hull if you are heading to Holland or northern Europe and from Folkstone along the south coast probably down as far as Plymouth if you are heading for souther France or Spain/Portugal.

Granted they take longer to travel and are a bit more expensive but they are less busy and keep you clear of Calais.

A link from Euro drive which may have helped many drivers stuck in those jams.

http://www.eurodrive.co.uk/routes.asp

[Ulic]

Just the French being the French. One inspector on duty for a shift and

40 minutes to process a single bus. Just the French follow up on "we will

make the English pay forBrexit." React with your feet. Stay home in the

UK. The French don't want your money.They don't seem to mind cutting

off there nose to spite there face. Cancel your hotels

and just explain it is the French government fault.

Edited July 25, 2016 by Ulic