Is it not the case that French border control takes place at Dover, prior departure, whereas it does not take place at the other ports that you mention but at the French port on arrival. That is why there are no similar delays at those other UK ports.
If that’s the case, move French border controls back to Calais.
If that’s the case, move French border controls back to Calais.
No more chickens home to roost, no more delays and everyone will be happy.
No that’s not true, this has absolutely nothing to do with the French. And there have in the past been delays at these other ports. But the simple fact is people want to travel to France taking the shortest and cheapest route, and that means Dover, which cannot cope with recent changes. They will have to place limits on numbers. Also there have been delays in France, but not as bad as Dover, but Calais can handle the numbers better than Dover.
Need to carry breathalyser vanished a long time agoUK Government has issued an updated France Travel Advice Notice warning of extra delays in travelling via Dover over Easter, plus the heightened strikes impact and warnings to keep clear of likely trouble spots, It;s quite difficult to keep track of the growing list of general 'Travel to France' precautions, but the need to have breathalyser kits seems to have disappeared. Small mercies ...
Steve
Sorry, the reference to the breathalyser was a bit of a p*ss take. The exercise was allegedly an act of cronyism by M Sarkozy in favour of a producer of said kits, and, even when required, as you as you had one in the vehicle, you could demand that the Gendarme use his/her kit so that you remained compliant with the law ...
www.aol.co.uk
Dover is, to my knowledge, the only UK seaport at which French border control is carried out prior embarkation. And Calais, to my knowledge, is the only French seaport at which UK border control is carried out prior embarkation. I believe that for all other ferry crossings, foreign border control is performed after disembarkation. It is my understanding that Port of Dover has been very pleased with the service provided by the French, including provision of extra personnel to address recent delays involving large numbers of coaches. But it is because French border control (more onerous since ******) is conducted at Dover that these issues occur there and not at other UK seaports.
Calais can handle greater numbers than Dover. So possibly reversing the process would help. This would mean the greater admin created by the new checks could be carried out there instead. Sorry but I don’t wish to get into the politics on here, and continuing this post would necessitate me doing so.
I certainly don't intend to get into politics either. I was simply making the point that Dover is a special case in terms of where French border control happens, hence the lack of similar issues at other UK seaports.
I don’t agree, these other ports don’t have the same problems due to much lower numbers. Hence why it’s being proposed that travellers numbers at Dover will be restricted in busy periods, with travellers using the other quieter ports. But I do think reversing the current set up may help. I think it should be at least looked at, but I don’t know if both countries would agree.
