In anticipation of the summer getaway period, the Port of Dover, in cooperation with its operational partners, has announced plans to facilitate smoother journeys for all passengers, particularly coach operators. It says the move is set to significantly enhance the port’s capacity and traffic flow rate, mitigating the rush hour crunch.
Plans detail an extensive operational strategy, most notably including a 133% boost to coach processing capacity at the French border. This increase is facilitated by an increase in processing booths from three to seven.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, details the initiative.
“We have made significant strides in improving the operation of our port,” he says. “Our coach customers and ferry operators are integral to this development. We are actively working with them to evenly distribute travel demand during peak times.”
As part of the strategy, the port is reinstating its designated coach processing facility, proven successful during the half-term period. This will allow for advanced passenger information (API) checks and seamless movements to the port. Furthermore, the port will utilise two additional booths to accommodate up to nine lanes of car traffic for tourists, supplementing the freight processing capacity.
Sharing his expectations for the peak season, Mr Bannister says: “Our modelling indicates that processing times may extend to 2.5 hours during peak hours of 0600hrs to 1300hrs on the first couple of weekends of the summer holidays. However, with our new measures, we’re aiming to make these busy periods as smooth as possible for our travellers.”
Another vital feature of the new operational plan is the increased collaboration with ferry operators. The port plans to share hour-by-hour traffic projections for every day of the summer getaway, allowing operators to efficiently plan their resources and procedures.
To further aid passengers, the port will also deploy its team of ‘passenger champions’ ahead of border controls to assist during peak periods. The provision of additional facilities, such as pet welfare, will supplement the existing retail and amenities after check-in within the passenger services building.
Abby Penlington, Director of Discover Ferries, has welcomed the partnership, stating: “The Port of Dover, its ferry operators, and border officials have come together to strategise for the bustling season ahead. Travellers opting to go via ferry from Dover will experience greater flexibility and a smoother journey, allowing them to drive straight off the port without wait times for border control or baggage reclaim.”
