French police have temporarily suspended extra EU border checks at the port of Dover as thousands of holidaymakers face long delays in the hot weather.
Waiting times of more than two hours were reported at the terminal in Kent for the cross-Channel ferry to France.
The EU’s entry-exit system (EES), which replaces passport stamps with a digital registration, became fully operational last month. The port of Dover said Saturday was the “first peak period” since the new procedures were introduced.
Describing the situation as “challenging”, the port posted on X: “We are pleased that Police Aux Frontières (PAF) have responded positively by invoking the article 9 clause of the EES regulations.” This allows for checks to be temporarily relaxed.
“While conventional border checks will still be undertaken, this will now enable PAF to significantly reduce the border processing time,” the port added.
“We will be working with PAF and all our partners to get customers into and through the port as swiftly as possible and keep the roads clear for our local community.”
Temperatures were expected to reach up to 29C in parts of England on Saturday. Images at Dover showed long queues of cars at the congested terminal, which is the departure point for ferries to Calais in northern France, a popular route for British tourists, especially at the start of the half-term school holidays in England and Wales.
The port said passengers who missed their ferry crossing because of delays would be able to travel on the next available crossing. It advised drivers to stay in their cars and treat its staff with “kindness and respect”, adding that “unacceptable behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated”.
EasyJet has called on EU countries – particularly Spain – to drop the new rules over concerns holidaymakers could face lengthy delays, with the company’s chief executive, Kenton Jarvis, saying the additional checks would “put [holidaymakers] off” travelling.
With the exception of Ireland and Cyprus, the EES is used by EU countries and other countries that are part of the Schengen free movement area, including Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.
Non-EU passengers and some transport providers have raised concerns about the system, especially those in Britain, which left the EU in 2020 under Brexit.
The European Commission said the system was designed to make the EU’s borders more secure, efficient and strong against irregular migration.
Temperatures are forecast to rise throughout the bank holiday weekend, with record-breaking May temperatures as high as 33C (91F) expected in parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued amber heat health alerts, which indicate a possible risk to life as well as potential damage to properties, significant travel delays and power cuts. They are in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London and the south-east until 5pm on Wednesday.
The UK is forecast to have its hottest ever day in May over the long weekend, marginally exceeding the 32.8C recorded around parts of London, West Sussex and Kent on 29 May 1944.