Delays to Channel ferries could be worse today, as UK and France squabble over who is to blame | UK News

Britain’s travel chaos could worsen today, with further delays expected at Port Of Dover as Britain and France continue to squabble over who is to blame. for stalemate.

Jack Cousens, AA’s head of road policy, said: “As schools were completely closed yesterday, Saturday could prove to be busier still this weekend.

“Drivers will continue to expect disruption and delays on major resort routes to the southwest, east coast and the ports of Dover and Folkestone.

“While many have decided to go early in the summer break, between now and early September when schools return, every Friday and Saturday will be busy on our roads.

“This is because these are the main transition dates that allow for the holidays.”

Airports and airlines have struggled for months with demand returning to normal in the summer after two years of turmoil related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled, luggage lost, as the airline industry struggled to recruit, screen and train staff, has let many of its workers go during the worst of the pandemic. Translate.

On Friday, the chaos extended as far as the Port Of Dover, with people queuing for six hours to cross the Channel.

P&O operator Ferries said passengers should wait at least five hours to pass security checks, adding that they expect Saturday to be “as busy” as Friday.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Liz Truss blames French authorities for Friday’s “unacceptable” delayurged them to deploy more staff to handle the demand.

“We need action from France to increase capacity at the border to limit any disruption to British travelers and to ensure this horrific situation is avoided in the future,” she said.

“We will work with the French authorities to find a solution.”

But French MP Pierre-Henri Dumont, who represents Calais, said the problems were “a consequence of Brexit”, adding: “We have to check more than before”.

He also said that Port Of Dover was too small and had too few kiosks for border guards due to lack of space.

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The port’s CEO Doug Bannister was unable to make any promises that the backlog would be resolved in the coming days, but said officials were doing their best.

He said that being “disappointed by poor supplies at the French border is ‘deeply frustrating'”.

Passengers traveling across the English Channel from Dover must pass through French border checks before they can board the ferry.

The port said it had increased the number of border checkpoints by 50 per cent, but added: “Unfortunately, the resources of the PAF (police support) are inadequate and have fallen far short of what is needed to do so. ensure a smooth first weekend of the peak summer break.”

Grant Shapps said he was “working closely” with French Transport Minister Clement Beaune, adding: “I welcome his pledge that both Britain and France will work closely to minimize disruptions some more so everyone can leave quickly.”

Mr Beaune retweeted the statement on Twitter.