Dover ferry port passengers hit by traffic chaos

Holidaymakers have been hit by delays of up to 12 hours through Kent to get to the Port of Dover, with many being stuck in traffic overnight.

Port authorities said delays built up due to French border checkpoints being understaffed overnight during heightened security levels.

"Vast volumes of holiday traffic" were said to have compounded the problems.

Police warn queues are still over five hours long. They are flying in water for stranded motorists by helicopter.

Ian, who was among those stuck in the traffic, warned there could be fatalities if people did not get food and water.

He said: "This is epic proportion and if someone doesn't take hold of this someone is going to die out here."

The London-bound carriageway of the A20 was earlier closed to allow police motorbikes to deliver drinks, as temperatures soared. Water is being collected from the Coastguard base at Langdon, near Dover.

Security checks at the Port of Dover were relaxed around lunchtime to help speed up the process of motorists through the port. Waiting time within the port's holding area was reported to be around 40 minutes.

But there are still long delays on the 12-mile stretch of the A20 near to Dover, with congestion on the M20, according to BBC Travel.

Kent Police have advised travellers to pack food and water and consider making alternative travel arrangements.

'Tense atmosphere'

Kent County Council said only three out of a potential seven booths were available overnight at French border control.

At one stage only one French officer was available to check passengers on hundreds of coaches, resulting in each coach taking 40 minutes to process, said the council.Ferry companies have said they will hold sailings to ensure people can travel and say those who miss their crossing because of the traffic will be put onto alternative crossings.

P&O Ferries earlier refused to comment on reports some ferries had been leaving empty or with very few customers on board.

The company said in a tweet: "Rest assured we'll get you on your way as soon as you pass the checks."

Ferry operator DFDS Seaways said additional services had been added to help late-running customers. It said it would put delayed customers on the first available sailing free of charge at check-in.

France has been under a state of emergency since last November, when terror attacks in Paris left 130 people dead and has tightened its border checks accordingly.

The port said it raised concerns over French staffing levels with the UK government earlier this week, which was brought up with its French counterparts.

No problems have been reported at other major ferry ports.

There are no delays with Channel Tunnel services but people have been told it will take 90 minutes to check in due to extra security procedures.Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said people caught in the chaos were owed an apology, blaming poor management and a lack of forward planning.

"For Dover to once again be plunged into traffic chaos is completely unacceptable," he said.

"The Department for Transport and Home Office knew there would be heightened security checks in place in France. They should have been prepared. They weren't."

'Shambolic'

Those stuck in the queues said people had been given little information.

Renata Roslak said she and her husband left Birmingham at 19:00 BST on Friday and still had not reached the port.

She said: "It's absolutely horrendous. We have maybe moved half a mile in the last eight hours.

"There isn't even somewhere to turn around and head home.

"I even phoned the police to find out what was happening - we were told that there weren't enough staff to cope with the extra security checks, so ferries are leaving but they aren't full."Traveller Bill Murray, who has been stuck for 12 hours, described the situation as "shambolic".

He tweeted: "Bosses of this shambles must resign. No help. One policeman on a bike an hour ago, failed to stop... Truly a third world response. Woeful."

Sonia Tutt, 38, on her way to Germany with more than a dozen others in a convoy, said: "Everyone is out of their vehicles, kids are playing football."

She added: "When we went to join the motorway there was no indication you were likely to be sitting here all night."

'Struggling in heat'

Kris Mazur spent the night on the A20 and said he had moved about one mile in 10 hours.

He said people were standing around at the edge of the road having picnics or sleeping in their cars.

He added: "There has been no access to food or toilets. The motorway is still completely blocked."Jack Donnelly from London said he had been stuck for more than seven hours.

He said they had not been given much information and families with children were especially struggling with the heat.

"People are helping each other out but the atmosphere is starting to get tense," he added.

'Camping spirit'

Dale Savage was caught in the delays for 12 hours en route to his brother's wedding. He said: "There are a lot of kids here, a lot of young children - a lot of people want to go on their holidays.

"There are no real frustrations, the real problem was no one knew what was going on."

He described a "camping spirit... very much like Glastonbury" but without a band to see at the end of it.

However, Twitter user Lemonjelly said the mood was changing.

"The novelty is wearing off. A few hours ago you would see picnics and kids on rollerblades skating up the A20. Now a lot of overheated, glum faces."

Sarah Rossin added: "We've got three kids and they are being ace but it's 31 degrees on the motorway."Suzanne Holland said she had finally checked in for the 08:30 crossing - 12 hours after arriving in Dover.

"Anyone would be uncomfortable for that time especially with no information. Had we known we would have tried to sleep," she said.

One passenger, Julia Woodcock, spoke of her relief at finally boarding a ferry after six hours.

She added: "It was all good-humoured. We are onboard now and finally read to start our hols!"