Couple’s honeymoon plans 'ruined' by Easter getaway traffic at Dover

A newly-married couple have said Easter weekend travel disruption has ruined their honeymoon plans after they missed their ferry amid long queues in Dover.

Ashley Griffiths-Beamon, 33, and his husband Damian Griffiths-Beamon, 36, got married on Thursday (April 14) and were due to travel to Belgium to celebrate their honeymoon.

“I’m upset and frustrated. We had lovely plans for today which have now been ruined,” Mr Ashley Griffiths-Beamon told the PA news agency.

“The delays will impact our plans today for our day in Bruges which is a shame as we have both been looking forward to visiting the city,” he added.

DFDS initially advised customers on Friday morning to arrive at least at least 90 minutes before their departure time, adding that it is “expecting a busy day through the Port of Dover”.

It later updated this guidance, encouraging passengers to allow at least two hours.

“Considering we have now been here waiting for almost 180 minutes, their advice I would say is misleading,” Mr Ashley Griffiths-Beamon told PA.

The pair arrived in Dover shortly after 6am for their 8.30am ferry. After missing it, they were rebooked onto a 9.55am ferry.

Millions of drivers are expected on the roads on Good Friday in what is predicted to be the busiest travel day of the Easter weekend.

More delays are predicted following travel chaos on Thursday, with passengers at airports, ferry terminals, and railway stations left waiting for hours in long queues.

Amanda Burton, 33, from Peterborough, told PA she arrived in Dover at 4am on Friday morning, but missed her 8am ferry.

She said the disruption was “ridiculous”, adding that there were “only four people on border control…We are off to Bruges for the weekend.

“We feel frustrated and tired. I have no idea why only four members of staff are checking in thousands and thousands of cars.”