Britons travelling to the Port of Dover in Kent over the coming weeks are being warned that they may face delays due to tightened security checks following the Moscow concert attack.
Due to the attack on March 22 at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Russia, on the western edge of Moscow, border force patrols are being more vigilant.
The Port of Dover in Kent issued the alert as French authorities increased border monitoring after more than 135 people were killed in the Russian capital on Friday night after Isis-K claimed responsibility for the atrocity.
It is estimated around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Monday, with the busiest days likely to be Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
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It is estimated around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between Thursday and Easter Monday
PAA spokesperson for the Port of Dover said: “France has heightened its border security checks following the attack in Moscow on Friday.
“These measures may increase border processing times at the port.
“Please be mindful of this when travelling to the port and check with your ferry operator for arrival times.”
Drivers across the UK are being warned of long delays as more than 14 million people hit the roads during the Easter period.
The RAC warned that journeys may take twice as long as normal as the bank holiday weekend coincides with the start of the school holidays.
Transport analysis company Inrix predicted that traffic will be the worst on Thursday between 2pm and 7pm with drivers urged to take care and prepare in advance for their journey.
The busiest route is expected to be the western section of the M25 between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 for Hertfordshire, according to Inrix.
Journeys along this route are expected to take over two hours from the peak time of 4pm, which is more than twice as long as usual.
To combat delays, National
Highways said it would halt 850 miles of roadworks by 6am on Thursday until
April 2.
Andy Butterfield, customer services director at National Highways, said: “This is the first bank holiday of the year, so we expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long weekend.
“We are doing what we can to make journeys easier by removing miles of roadworks, but I would encourage everyone to take some time, plan ahead and ensure your vehicle is prepared for what might be a long journey.”
Drivers are reminded that Operation Brock will remain in place on the M20 heading into the Port of Dover with traffic notices updated frequently.
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Operation Brock will remain in place on the M20 heading into the Port of Dover
PANational Highways has announced plans to suspend 850 miles of roadworks during the bank holiday weekend to ease congestion along major travel routes.