Port of Dover confident of 'smooth summer' following operational improvements

According to chief executive Doug Bannister, following a "successful" May bank holiday period, the port is now planning the implementation of more improvements, including the addition of a permanent coach border processing facility to replace contingency measures in the buffer zone. 

It comes after the port processed more than 15,000 tourist vehicles, including coaches, over the peak May half-term weekend, with the average wait time not exceeding 45 minutes during the port’s busiest period.

So far this year, the port has experienced an increase of more than 200% in coach traffic, and a 65% increase in passenger volumes, compared to the first five months of 2022.
 
"Through a collaborated effort with our three ferry operators, coach associations and Police aux Frontières (PAF), we efficiently managed peak traffic flows over the May half-term," Bannister added.

"We are excited to welcome passengers to the port this summer and ease their journey through the port before their departure for Europe."