Dover traffic delays - live: French MP blames Brexit for chaos as queues form for second day

Busiest travel weekend since 2019 kicks off as school holidays begin

Long queues in Dover stretch over miles amid travel chaos

French politician Pierre-Henri Dumont, Republican MP for Calais, has blamed the UK’s exit from the EU for the travel chaos, as holidaymakers joined lengthy queues in Dover for the second day running.

Mr Henri Dumont told BBC News it was “an aftermath of Brexit” with more checks needed and claiming the Dover port is “too small” with too few kiosks due to lack of space.

However, Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss blamed the delays on a lack of staffing by the French at the border. The foreign secretary said the delays and queues were “unacceptable” and called on France to act over the “entirely avoidable” delays.

It comes after travellers got stuck in queues for up to six hours in the Port of Dover on Friday at the start of the summer school holidays – which led to the port declaring a “critical incident”.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “As the schools closed their doors fully yesterday, Saturday could prove busier still this weekend.

“Drivers should continue to expect disruption and delays on major holiday routes to the south-west, eastern coast and ports of Dover and Folkestone.

“While many have decided to go at the start of the summer holidays, between now and the beginning of September when schools return, each Friday and Saturday will be busy on our roads because these are the main switchover days for holiday lets.”

Key points

• Increased transaction times at border due to Brexit, says Port of Dover chief executive
• Truss calls on France to act over ‘entirely avoidable’ delays at Dover
• How Saturday’s papers are covering Port of Dover gridlock
• Dover traffic yet to ease just before Friday midnight – pictures
• ‘French border officials must turn up for work’ - Dover MP
• British reports ‘must be corrected’ says Calais security chief

[23 July 2022 14:28 · Joe Middleton]

French MP blames Brexit for Dover chaos

French politician Pierre-Henri Dumont, Republican MP for Calais, has blamed the UK’s exit from the EU for the chaos.

He told BBC News it was “an aftermath of Brexit” with more checks needed and claiming the Dover port is “too small” with too few kiosks due to lack of space.

[23 July 2022 14:50 · Joe Middleton]

More than 100 freight drivers given fixed-penalty notices

More than 100 fixed-penalty notices have been issued in the past 24 hours for non-compliance with rules for freight drivers, Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) said.

EU-bound hauliers have been warned that not complying with signage to follow the Operation Brock traffic management system on the M20 and trying to jump the queue risks a £300 fine as well as removal to the back of the queue.

Toby Howe, KRF tactical lead, said the forum is “working hard to keep traffic moving” but that “due to the disruption being experienced at the ferry ports and Eurotunnel it is important that drivers should plan for lengthy delays” and ensure they have enough water, food and medicines.

[23 July 2022 15:13 · Joe Middleton]

The Independent’s Simon Calder explains the reasons for this weekend’s travel chaos

Our travel correspondent appeared on the BBC today to explain some of the reasons why we are seeing such lengthy queues and delays at the Port of Dover.