Hours of delays at Port of Dover

Extra border police are on duty at the Port of Dover to prevent a repeat of the long delays suffered by holidaymakers last weekend. More than a quarter of a million cars got caught in huge jams when French authorities stepped up security checks. Today is known as Black Saturday usually the busiest day of the year but so far there've been no major hold ups. Malcolm Shaw reports.

The Conservative MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, says the summer of traffic chaos is "unacceptable" and that ministers need to "take control".

Delays have eased following a weekend of chaos for travellers heading towards the Channel crossing, but police have warned of further disruption for weeks to come.

Holidaymakers faced hours on gridlocked roads near Dover this weekend as some spent the night in their cars as they tried in vain to get to the port. At one stage there were twelve-mile tailbacks and people endured waits of more than ten hours.

Traffic disruption for traffic heading to Dover has improved significantly.

Drivers are currently experiencing delays of around half an hour on the A20.

A large volume of holiday traffic is anticipated over the next few days with holiday makers making their way to Europe.

This together with heightened security checks by the French Authorities could mean some delays over the next few weeks.

Kent Police will continue to work with partners to monitor the levels of traffic to ensure any further disruption is kept to a minimum.

Kent Police say disruption on the roads leading to Dover is beginning to ease but drivers are still advised to expect some delays.

There are currently delays of around one hour on the A20, with approximately one mile of queuing traffic.

A large volume of traffic is anticipated over the next few days with holiday makers making their way to Europe.

This together with heightened security checks by the French Authorities could mean delays over the next few days.

Kent Police is working with Highways England, the Port of Dover and other partners to minimise delays as much as possible and get traffic moving.

Motorists who are setting out are still advised to take plenty of food and water and to check with travel operators before making their trips.

Motorists are being urged to remain with their vehicles.

Traffic is stop and start and getting out of vehicles can be dangerous.

Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham, is calling for urgent action to sort out the massive jams at Dover.

This morning, Alkham Valley Road is closed end to end except for access for residents and emergency vehicles.

This is to provide an unrestricted access route for emergency services and essential traffic management vehicles to provide welfare to traffic stuck on the A20.

Unfortunately, as this is an emergency closure, residents have not been directly contacted.

This will remain in place until welfare is no longer an issue. At present this is expected to be within 36 hours.

Operation Stack will not be used, it can only be used for freight traffic. The delays are a result of increased French border checks at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.

They follow French government requirements to deliver heightened security checks to keep the traveling public safe following the recent attacks in France.

Due to the heightened security checks by the French Authorities and the large volume of holidaymakers making their way to Europe, motorists are currently experiencing delays of around 10 hours on the A20, with approximately 12 miles of queuing traffic back to junction 11 of the M20.

Kent Police is working with Highways England and the Port of Dover to minimise delays as much as possible and get traffic moving.

Motorists who are setting out are advised to take plenty of food and water and to check with travel operators before making their trips.

Kent Police will continue to assist Highways England by closing the A20 London-bound so that water can be given to motorists on the Dover-bound carriageway.

The water is being handed out on the motorway by officers from HM Coastguard, Kent Police and volunteers. Its provision has been arranged by Kent County Council. Limited toilet facilities are also being provided on the A20.