Huge queues at Dover as holiday traffic grinds to a halt

Britons have been warned of huge queues in Dover today as holidaymakers are left stuck in traffic for hours.

Chaos ensued in the travel world yesterday as flights were cancelled and Eurostar trains were scrapped at the start of the summer holidays.

Holiday traffic on the A20 near the port of Dover in Kent is at a standstill this morning.

Drivers stuck in a sea of ​​red brake lights reported long queues at the UK’s busiest port.

They have been warned that a “weekend of misery” is ahead as the RAC estimates that around 13.8 million people will take to the roads from Friday to Sunday.

According to experts, traffic will be at its worst today as 3.6 million Britons get behind the wheel.

Alice Simpson, spokesperson for RAC Breakdown, said: “Anyone going on holiday on Saturday or Sunday should prepare for a ‘weekend of misery’ on the roads, with journeys taking much longer than usual.

“If you can’t leave on time, there’s a good chance you’ll be stuck in traffic for a long time.

“Our research suggests that this year will be busier than average, possibly because inflation in the UK has slowed, giving people a little more confidence to spend.

“However, given the recent bad weather, which has led to an increase in international travel bookings, the queues at major airports should not be underestimated.

“We advise drivers to plan their routes well in advance if they are flying abroad this week.”

Meanwhile, travellers at Heathrow are facing huge queues at check-in desks this morning.

The UK’s busiest airport was in chaos yesterday, with hundreds of hopeful jetsetters forced to return home due to mass cancellations.

Affected flyers were furious after trips to Frankfurt, Munich, Miami and New York City were all cancelled.

Tired passengers were seen sleeping on the floor today with their bags as they waited for more information.

Chaos broke out among travellers yesterday after Eurostar announced it would no longer operate services due to arson attacks ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris today.

Eurostar, which operates international services from London St Pancras, told furious ticket buyers that one in four trains would not run because of the “coordinated” vandalism.

Passengers were told to cancel their holidays, while both train services and flights were cancelled.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was even forced to fly to Paris after the French rail network was sabotaged.

The disruption is expected to last through next Monday, ruining millions of expected weekend travel plans.

A man who spent £1,800 on Eurostar tickets for the Olympics says he is now considering flying or driving as more trains are cancelled.

Scott Wilkins, 47, said: “Driving is an option. We’re thinking about driving because we’ve got the Eurotunnel.”

His partner, who did not want to be named, said: “I don’t think the trains are running so we have to go home and get the car. I looked for a flight but there is none.”

Fellow traveller Adam Wigley, 28, who had planned to attend the opening ceremony, said: “I don’t understand the system. It’s a bit tricky to see what’s happening.

“Our train arrives in Paris an hour late, so we have to hurry (to get to the ceremony).”

Eurostar said in a statement: “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, which have affected the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains to and from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today, Friday 26 July.

“This will extend the travel time by approximately one and a half hours. Several trains have been cancelled.

“Eurostar teams are fully mobilised at stations, call centres and on board to ensure all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.

“We encourage our customers to postpone their travel if possible.”

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the vandals had strategically chosen the main routes into Paris, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Attal said there would be “huge consequences”, with “hundreds of thousands” of people being stranded while visiting Paris for the Games or holidays.

Fortunately, although most of the Team GB athletes were travelling to Paris by Eurostar, only two were due to travel on Friday and only experienced minor delays.