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Port of Dover traffic building as TAP implemented on A20 ahead of summer holidays

Queues are already beginning to form outside Dover as the town braces itself for summer travel chaos.

Bosses at the Port of Dover have warned of upcoming delays as schools across England and Wales break up for the holidays.

Dover TAP has been implemented on the A20, with hundreds of lorries queuing outside the town. Picture: UKNIP
Dover TAP has been implemented on the A20, with hundreds of lorries queuing outside the town. Picture: UKNIP

Dover TAP has been put in place, and images show lorries backing up on the A20.

Currently, however, the town itself appears to be mostly clear, with Folkestone Road, York Street and Townwall Street flowing as usual.

P&O Ferries warn: “There are currently queues at border control, please allow extra time to clear all security checks.

“Check-in closes 60 minutes before your booked sailing time. Rest assured, if you miss your sailing, you'll be on the first available once at check-in.”

Enhanced post-Brexit passport checks by French border officials Police Aux Frontieres (PAF) have significantly increased processing times, with potential waits of two and a half hours expected today and over the weekend, port bosses previously warned.

Port bosses have predicted two and a half hour delays at the port from today. Picture: UKNIP
Port bosses have predicted two and a half hour delays at the port from today. Picture: UKNIP

They have taken a series of measures aimed at minimising queues during the summer getaway, including installation of an additional PAF booth, and hour-by-hour traffic flow projections.

The port is also continuing to use a new system for processing coach passengers, involving Advanced Passenger Information checks being carried out away from the main port facility during busy periods.

This was first introduced for the May half-term after some coach passengers were stuck at the port for more than 10 hours during Easter.

Recently there have been several more incidents of delays at the border, and the port is now urging car passengers embarking on summer getaways to arrive three hours before their booked sailing.

This is up from two hours last year, while before the end of the Brexit transition period the port gave no advice for when people should turn up.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the stretch of A20 next to Aycliffe is now being designated as a quiet zone from 11.30pm to 7am the next day.

Over the years when TAP has been used neighbours have complained about being tormented, including kept awake, by frustrated HGV drivers sounding their horns when they are held up.

The quiet zone, implemented by National Highways, stretches for almost a mile from the Court Wood Interchange near Capel-le-Ferne, to the Western Heights Roundabout, which leads to the only entrance road to the small community of Aycliffe.

Nicky Potts, National Highways head of operational integration, said: “We understand that when there is disruption at the port, residents of Aycliffe can often be disturbed by lorry drivers who are queuing in TAP along the A20.

“In particular, when they use horns during the night which can keep people awake.

“Whilst we look at broader solutions, we have agreed we will implement a quiet zone along the A20 leading up to the Port which will run throughout the summer deployment of Operation Brock.”

From the end of this week signs will be in place along the A20 to tell drivers of the quiet zone.

National Highways will also be sharing the news with haulage groups and ferry operators, as well as working with police to provide additional visibility and where necessary enforcement.

Any HGV drivers not complying with the signage risk a fine of £60.

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