Travellers making cross-Channel journeys at the port of Dover have been urged to prepare for potential long waits as Christmas getaway disruption continues across the country.
P&O Ferries said there were estimated wait times of 60 minutes at border control after a surge in demand for ferries after the Channel Tunnel was closed on Thursday due to unscheduled strike action by French workers.
The walkout ruined the travel plans of tens of thousands of people, with many forced to look for alternate ways across the Channel during one of the busiest times of the year.
Elsewhere chaos on the railways in Britain has continued with train services feeling the aftermath of Storm Pia on Thursday. Kings Cross and Paddington stations in London are expected to be busier than usual today as customers try to get the last trains out before engineering works closes them on Christmas Eve.
On the roads hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel today to see loved ones, with the RAC warning people travel before 11am or after 6pm if possible as an estimated 13.5 million people are set to hit the roads this weekend.
Motorists queue at the Port of Dover in Kent this morning as they try to get ferries to France before Christmas
P&O Ferries has warned motorists that while there are no delays to ferry services, there are queues of up to 60 minutes for border control
The ferry firm blamed a surge in demand following an unscheduled strike by Euro Tunnel staff on Thursday
P&O Ferries warned customers there are ‘large queues at border control’ at the Port of Dover this morning
Ferry operator DFDS also warned of long delays at the Port of Dover, but said there were no issues with ferries leaving on time
The AA has predicted that today will be one of the busiest days on the UK’s roads
The Met Office has also warned of weather-related travel issues in parts of the UK this weekend as gales, rain and ice blasts threaten the festive getaway.
Two separate yellow wind warnings have been issued as gusts of up 60 to 70 mph are due to hit the north of Scotland and northern and central areas of England.
Network Rail has warned that severe weather is likely to impact some ScotRail routes today, furthering rail disruption after at least 13 train firms have cancelled services yesterday.
While there are no delays at the Port of Dover this morning for ferry services, travellers are being warned that there are long queues at border control.
P&O Ferries advised travellers in a post on X: ‘There is an estimated wait time of 60mins to reach border control after entering the port.
‘There are limited toilet facilities, we recommend stopping en route.
‘Please come prepared with refreshments to make your wait more comfortable. Thank you for your patience.’
The company apologised for delays, telling customers: ‘Please accept our sincere apologies for the waiting time you are currently experiencing.
‘We are working hard with the authorities involved to improve the situation and would like to assure you that you will be accommodated on the next available sailing once you get through.’
Road congestion was likely to have peaked on Friday afternoon as drivers embarking on leisure trips competed for road space with commuters and business traffic.
Motorists queue at the Port of Dover early on Saturday morning as tehy try to get ferries to France
A man holds a child a he stands outside his car among waiting traffic at the Port of Dover this morning
The RAC said 13.5 million leisure journeys by car are expected through Sunday
Gusts as high as 60 to 70 mph are due to hit the north of Scotland and northern and central areas of England. Two separate yellow wind warnings have been issued, saying people should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country may see showers
The A66 in Cumbria is closed in both directions between the A595 south (Bridgefoot) and the A595 north (Cockermouth) due to a serious collision.
Traffic has been diverted via local routes causing delays.
The M20 motorway in Kent has reopened between junctions 8 and 9 after it was closed due to Operation Brock, which involves organising a queue for freight traffic during disruption to cross-Channel services.
Eurostar, which operates passenger services to and from London St Pancras, is operating two extra services per day between London and Paris up to and including Christmas Eve to help people whose trains were cancelled on Thursday.
Vehicle-carrying train service Eurotunnel is running its usual timetable but is only accepting customers who have pre-booked.
On the domestic railway, disruption from strong winds remained following chaos caused by Storm Pia on Thursday.
The Elizabeth line suffered severe delays on Friday afternoon between London Paddington, Reading and Heathrow Airport after two trains broke down.
Network Rail said disruption was expected between Mansfield and Worksop for the end of the day, as well as between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley, caused by damage to the overhead electric wires in the Aston area of Birmingham.
No LNER trains served Inverness on Friday morning.
ScotRail services were suspended between Inverness and Wick, Tain, Ardgay and Lairg.
Kings Cross and Paddington stations in London are expected to be significantly busier than usual today as there will be no services to or from them on Christmas Eve due to planned engineering works.
National Rail is also wanring that shortage of train crews, residual problems from Storm Pia and increased passenger volumes as people travel for Christmas could also cause disruption.
The Met Office has warned there could be more weather-related travel issues in parts of the UK this weekend.
Christmas Eve travel plans could be ruined with heavy winds set to batter parts of the country ahead of a rain-soaked December 25.
Gusts as high as 60 to 70 mph are due to hit the north of Scotland and northern and central areas of England.
Two separate yellow wind warnings have been issued, saying people should expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and power cuts, while the rest of the country may see showers.
A yellow warning for rain covers much of Wales, with forecasters warning flooding and travel disruption is possible.
Network Rail warned severe weather was likely to impact some ScotRail routes on Saturday.
The RAC estimated 13.5 million leisure journeys by car would take place across the UK between Friday and Sunday, up 20 per cent on the three days before Christmas Day last year.
Motorists were advised to travel before 11am or after 6pm if possible to reduce the chance of being stuck in long queues.