Dover coach solution moves on as assurances sought

More planned improvements to coach processing procedures at the Port of Dover have been detailed as the gateway bids to avoid any repeat of the delays seen in early April, when outbound coaches suffered processing times of up to 24 hours.

Work by representative bodies including the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and pressure from ministers has led to promises of more French border staff at Dover to handle coach traffic at busy times, CPT Coaching Manager Phil Smith reports.

It has been said by the port that 10 such officers will be on duty during peak periods in July, with a possibility of that level of cover starting earlier. A paucity of French officials was cited as a major contributor to delays at the start of April. One affected operator noted that at some points over that weekend, as few as two border control staff were working.

In addition, Mr Smith says that the Port of Dover has given assurance that the late May bank holiday period will see the same level of contingency for coaches provided as over the Easter weekend. That saw a variety of steps including temporary infrastructure and “a full complement” of French officials.

Those measures largely delivered as hoped, although a change to procedures within the port caused some confusion. At least one coach reached the check in area but was sent back to the Cruise Terminal to register, causing the scheduled ferry to be missed.

The operator involved has questioned the need for such an approach when coach numbers are moderate and claims that there was no indication to drivers that they should proceed to the Cruise Terminal first.

While progress is being made in finding a cure to the widely publicised difficulties at Dover, Mr Smith says that a long-term resolution involving greater resources in place permanently at appropriate times is imperative.

“Until if or when we see change to immigration requirements at the port, a bespoke solution must be in place. It is no use anyone saying, ‘that’s how it is now – deal with it’. We need increased resources at peak periods.”

A further meeting involving CPT, the Port of Dover and Department for Transport officials will be held soon. There, CPT “hopes to finalise the necessary assurances” for outbound coaches passing though the gateway over the spring and summer.

“At the moment, things at Dover look a lot better than they did at the beginning of April,” says Mr Smith. “Although at least one operator had a problem at the port over Easter, the overall picture for coach processing was much better, and that is continuing.”

It is understood that ministers are paying close attention to events at Dover after media coverage of early April’s difficulties. Among those is Under-Secretary of State for Transport Baroness Vere. While no longer responsible for coaches, maritime forms part of Lady Vere’s ministerial portfolio and she says that during an imminent visit to Dover, coaches will be prominent in discussions.