With the approach of the peak holiday period over the summer, the Port of Dover and its operational partners said they had put in place extensive plans for a smooth transit through the facility. Members that make up the Port system including the Port authority, Police Aux Frontières and Border Force, and the Port’s three ferry operators, say they have carefully put plans in place to support the efficient workings of the Port system, including working closely with coach customers and ferry operators to spread travel demand during peak times.
The Port says its plans include improving flow rates for all traffic types, including cars, coaches and HGVs, reinstating the designated Coach Processing Facility on the approach to the ferry terminal to conduct the Advanced Passenger Information (API) checks and smooth movements to the Port following its success at half term, and installing additional border control infrastructure to enhance coach processing capacity at the French border by 133% (from three to seven positions).
Port of Dover CEO Doug Bannister commented: “The Port of Dover is a hugely popular choice for families to get away to Europe for the summer holiday and we expect this year to be no different. We have worked hard with our partners to deliver a series of improvements to our shared operation, engaging in extensive planning for the peak period, and making continual investments that support the ferry operation and protect the local community.”
Look out for an interview with Doug Bannister and CPT’s Graham Vidler about the problems at Dover in an upcoming issue