Taking the ferry to France

Taking the ferry to France this summer?  Be warned.

The introduction of New Home Office passport check rules effective 8 April threaten five-mile car and coach queues waiting to cross the channel this summer, ferry operators warned last week. For the first time in two decades every person leaving the UK will have their passport checked, including those travelling by coach and they will have to disembark to do it.  The new checks are also expected to double the length of time needed to check a car carrying four occupants. 

Dover will suffer the most as it handles 60% of the UK’s ferry traffic to the Continent.  Similar checks are also being introduced to the Channel Tunnel and other ferry ports.  The Home Office states it is “working with ports and carriers to ensure provision of effective exit data” while minimising disruption for legitimate passengers as they pass through ports, limiting the impact on businesses such as port and ferry companies.  Queues however are set to be the worst during the May bank holidays, and every Friday and Saturday through July and August

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