French border control IT failures have disrupted ferry services at Dover, affecting thousands of Christmas travelers. The technical issues emerged before the weekend peak, creating substantial delays for passengers attempting to cross the English Channel during the festive period.
Port authorities coordinated with partner agencies to address the technical problems while managing passenger flow. Officials requested travelers to arrive no earlier than two hours before scheduled departures, aiming to reduce congestion in waiting areas and surrounding roads during this critical travel window.
Approximately 30,000 vehicles were anticipated to depart from the port throughout the Christmas season, with traffic volumes expected to peak between 6am and 1pm from Friday through Sunday. This period represents the busiest festive getaway on record for UK travel, according to forecasts from transport analysts.
P&O Ferries reported lengthy queues on approach roads and in buffer zones, though passengers experienced smooth processing once they reached check-in facilities. The operator advised customers to allocate additional time for their journeys. Missed sailings would result in rebooking on subsequent available crossings, the port confirmed in its communications.
Road experts urged drivers to prepare thoroughly for congested conditions expected across the country. The RAC estimated 37.5 million leisure trips by car were planned between Wednesday and Christmas Eve, while National Highways removed roadworks to facilitate smoother traffic flow on motorways and major routes.
