Operational Statement – 13.00 Friday 22nd July

The Port is working to do all it can with ferry operators and local partners to assist with clearing the queues caused by inadequate French border capacity.  Resource at the French border has increased this morning and traffic is slowly beginning to move, but it will take some time to clear the backlog.

Passengers need to come prepared with water, food and supplies and to check with their chosen ferry operator for the latest information and advice.  Passengers are also asked to avoid trying back routes to reach the port as that makes the situation worse, particularly for local residents.

Continual high holiday traffic volumes are fully expected, and our freight customers also remain significantly delayed, so we urge French colleagues to adequately resource the border, not just to relieve the current situation, but for the rest of the weekend and indeed the rest of the summer to keep our community clear, to get families on their holidays and to keep essential trade moving.

The Port urges the UK government to continue working with French counterparts in order to ensure this is the case.