Warning of further traffic congestion for holidaymakers

Credit: ITV

The Port of Dover has reassured holidaymakers that it is not expecting further severe delays this weekend, but motorists have been warned they face a so-called Black Saturday of congestion once they cross the Channel.

Tailbacks around the Kent port reached 12 miles last weekend and someholidaymakers were forced to wait for 20 hours on gridlocked roads in soaring temperatures.

Police said the disruption was down to the volume of holiday traffic coupled with heightened security checks by French officials in the wake of terror attacks.

The Port of Dover, which manages the port, said it does not believe the extent of recent delays will be repeated this weekend.

There were severe delays approaching the port at the weekend Credit: PA

But French highway authorities are warning that heavy congestion is set to hit main routes throughout the country on Saturday, when there is a crossover between holidaymakers heading home and those just beginning their breaks.

There may be more queues this weekend, but they're not expected to be as long Credit: PA

A second Black Saturday is expected on August 6.