France is forced to switch off new EU border checks system that is forcing thousands of British holidaymakers to queue for four hours at Dover in 30C sizzling heat

French authorities have been forced to suspend controversial new EU border controls after holidaymakers were trapped in four-hour queues in sweltering heat.

There is total gridlock around the Port of Dover this morning, with motorists looking to escape the UK for the bank holiday weekend facing huge queues.

Holidaymakers also complained of ‘complete chaos’ in Folkestone from passengers missing scheduled LeShuttle services in 30C temperatures.

Delays have been made worse by the introduction of the new automated EU border system, which slows people down through French passport control.

The scheme, which came into effect on April 10, involves having Britons’ fingerprints recorded before they enter the free movement Schengen Area.

However, the French authorities have not yet opened the machines that perform these biometric checks in Dover, causing longer delays.

Disgruntled passengers traveling in ports have spoken of a ‘ride from hell’ with no roadside services or toilets.

One person posted on

Traffic queuing for the Euro Tunnel site along the M20 motorway in Folkestone, Kent

Queues have formed at UK ports today as the country is in the middle of a week-long heatwave and temperatures are expected to reach 33°C on Monday

Another added: ‘The queue to enter Dover via the A20 currently extends as far as Folkestone. 31C ride from hell, no roadside services or toilets.’

In an update this lunchtime, the Port of Dover announced the suspension of new border checks to help clear queues.

It was stated that the decision was taken after a meeting with French officials.

Queues have formed at UK ports today as the country is in the middle of a week-long heatwave; Temperatures are expected to peak at 33C on Monday.

It’s set the same way today Very hot and sunny, 30C likely to be recorded in the south of England Met Office in question.

This will be higher than the temperatures predicted in Athens in Greece, Split in Croatia and even Victoria in the Seychelles.

The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat health warning for ‘exceptional weather’ for May.

It covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London and the South East and will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday.

Photos from Dover show hundreds of cars waiting in huge queues in the harbor as the sun set.

Wait times peaked at around four hours this morning; Passengers booking the Shuttle service in Folkestone also faced delays of two and a half hours.

In a statement, the Port of Dover said: ‘We recognize that the border process is slower with the current EES system and this May Half Term is the first busy period since the system was introduced.

‘French border teams are doing their best within the given parameters and working with the highest resources available. We continue to work hard with them and our other partners to reduce wait times and get you on your way as quickly as possible.

‘It is extremely important to stick to the main routes on your journey to the port as failure to do so will cause extra delays and access issues for our local community.’

Meanwhile, strike action and engineering works are causing disruption to some routes on Britain’s railways this Bank Holiday weekend.

Transport Salaried Staff Union members went on strike yesterday and today over a pay dispute, affecting West Midlands Railway (WMR) and London Northwestern Railway services.

Network Rail engineering work also means parts of key intercity lines will be closed.

People enjoy the sun at Strand Lido in Gillingham today

Passengers booking Shuttle service in Folkestone face two-and-a-half hour delays

Tourists outside in warm weather at Buckingham Palace in London today

People enjoy the warm weather in St James’s Park in London

The East Coast Main Line will be closed between York and Darlington from today until Monday.

Buses will replace trains between Newport and Bristol Parkway for two weeks starting today.

There will be no Thameslink services from central London from today until Monday, which will affect services to Gatwick and Luton airports.

Travel trade organization Abta said there would be a rise in the number of families going on holiday this weekend, which marks the start of the half-term break for many schools.

Strong demand for short-haul sunny holidays has been reported in destinations such as mainland Spain, Italy, the Balearic and Canary Islands and Portugal, as well as city breaks in Milan, Nice and Barcelona.

But representative body Airports Council International reported last month that EU border controls were causing delays of up to three hours, with airports in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy among the worst affected.

More than 100 easyJet passengers missed flights from Milan Linate to Manchester last month due to delays at passport counters.