Delays across Kent for bank holiday travellers

Holidaymakers were experiencing traffic issues across Kent on the first morning of the bank holiday weekend.

Motorists heading for the Port of Dover were directed to use the A2 only after congestion in the area, while the Sheppey Crossing, in the north of the county, remained closed northbound for emergency repairs.

Eurotunnel reported delays of an hour or more to check-in in Folkestone.

The delays came as millions were heading into Europe amid soaring temperatures.

According to Port of Dover officials, tourist traffic had faced "a processing time of around 2.5 hours" and further queues to reach the ferry terminal.

Queues began reducing after French officials suspended new European Union border checks, known as the Entry/Exit system, to manage traffic.

The Port of Dover said: "If you've missed your booked ferry crossing due to current waiting times, your ferry operator will transfer you to the next available sailing free of charge."

The AA reported congestion on the M20, the A20 and around Folkestone and Dover.

Travel journalist Simon Calder told BBC Radio Kent he had been on approach to the port "since dawn" and it had been "a miserable morning for the people of east Kent" as well as tourists.

"The queues, as people who are in Dover will know, have been absolutely horrendous," he said.

Longer border checks and some delays had also been reported on Friday.

The Operation Brock contraflow system had been implemented on the M20 coastbound ahead of half term and the bank holiday weekend.

Delays of about 30 minutes approaching the Sheppey Crossing were reported on Saturday morning.

The bridge closed on Friday due to a damaged joint, according to officials.

National Highways said the closure of the bridge was "likely to be protracted" and did not give an estimated time for when it would reopen.

Northbound traffic has been diverted via the Kingsferry Bridge.

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