Huge queues at Dover as holiday getaway traffic grinds to a halt – after flights axed and Eurostar trains cancelled
BRITS have been warned of huge queues at Dover today as holidaymakers sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours.
It comes as travel mayhem was sparked yesterday when flights were scrapped and Eurostar trains axed as the summer holidays kicked off.
Holiday getaway traffic has ground to a halt on the A20 near the Port of Dover in Kent this morning.
Drivers sitting in a sea of red brake lights reported punishing queues at the UK’s busiest port.
They have been warned a “weekend of woe” awaits as the RAC estimates around 13.8million people will hit the road from Friday to Sunday.
Experts suggest maximum congestion is set to hit today as 3.6million Brits get behind the wheel.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Anyone heading off on holiday on Saturday or Sunday should expect a ‘weekend of woe’ on the roads with journeys taking far longer than normal.
“If you can’t set off early, then it’s highly likely you’ll be sitting in traffic for quite some time.
“Our research suggests this year’s getaway is set to be busier than average, possibly due to the UK inflation rate having slowed, giving people a bit more confidence to spend.
“However, with our recent bad weather causing an increase in international travel bookings, queues to major airports should not be underestimated.
“We’d advise drivers to plan their routes well in advance if jetting off abroad this week.”
Meanwhile, flyers at Heathrow this morning are stuck in massive queues at check-in desks.
The UK’s busiest airport was plunged into mayhem yesterday with hundreds of hopeful jet-setters told to head home after mass cancellations.
Devastated flyers were fuming after trips to Frankfurt, Munich, Miami and New York City were all scrapped.
Weary passengers have been spotted sleeping on the floor with their bags today as they await further information.
Flyers have also been affected at Manchester Airport as they are hit by delays.
It comes as travellers were hit with chaos yesterday after Eurostar announced services were being cancelled amid arson attacks ahead of the Paris Olympic Games today.
Eurostar, which runs international services from London St Pancras, told fuming ticketholders that one in four trains would not run due to the “coordinated” vandalism.
Passengers were told “cancel you holidays” as both train services and flights were scrubbed.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was even forced to fly to Paris after French rail networks were sabotaged.
And, disruption is set to continue into Monday next week, dashing millions of expected weekend travel plans.
Chaotic scenes have been spotted at the Eurostar station in St Pancras International today as desperate holidaymakers await more information.
Only a handful of seats were available to book on the remaining London to Paris Eurostar services today.
Meanwhile tickets for overnight coaches arriving in the French capital on Sunday morning were selling for as much as £197 through Flixbus.
One worried Parisian mother said Friday’s cancelled 4.31pm train has meant her 12-year-old daughter is waiting alone in a cafe in Paris after the plan to pick her up on Saturday morning fell through because of the chaos.
Zissia Patel, 46, said: “My daughter is alone in a cafe in Paris so I want to be with her. She’s only 12.”
The university administrator, who was visiting family in London, said she was told she could not rebook to a different train online and had to come into St Pancras instead.
Ms Patel said: “I’m just trying to keep my calm. My child is alone in a cafe.”
Meanwhile, Olivia Atwell was in tears as she waited behind Ms Patel in the slow-moving Eurostar queue.
The 26-year-old Australian said she had not slept since getting on a 5.40am flight from Sydney to London on Friday to watch her cousin, Amy, compete in the women’s basketball at the Olympics.
Ms Atwell, an accountant from Sydney, said: “I’ve not slept. If I don’t get a train I’ll get a flight to Paris.”
Eurostar said in a statement: “Due to co-ordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday July 26.
“This extends the journey time by around an hour-and-a-half. Several trains have been cancelled.
“Eurostar’s teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.
“We encourage our customers to postpone their trip if possible.”
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the vandals strategically targeted the main routes towards Paris, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Attal said there would be “massive consequences”, with “hundreds of thousands” of people stuck while trying to visit Paris for the Games or holidays.
Luckily, despite the majority of Team GB athletes arriving to Paris by Eurostar, only two were due to travel on Friday – and only experienced minor delays.
Best & worst times to travel
BY Jon Rogers
Transport experts INRIX are warning drivers to avoid travelling between 12pm and 5pm on both Friday and Saturday and between 11am and 1pm on Sunday when the worst delays are expected.
The best times to travel will be after 6pm on Friday and Saturday, or 3pm on Sunday.
Saturday will see the longest hold-ups, with delays on A-roads and motorways expected to take a third longer than usual.
