Customs: no delays on freight
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WITH CUSTOMS and Excise officers working to rule, goods and passengers coming into the country are facing greater delays than usual.
Passengers and vehicles are being checked more thoroughly than usual, so getting through customs is taking longer. Dover reports that so far there is "very little visible evidence of delay in the freight lanes". During August freight traffic through the port is slightly lower than the rest of the year, which eases the situation.
But passenger traffic is up in the summer, and delays to coach parties are more noticeable during the customs men's action.
Dover Terminal Control advises hauliers to arrive on time for ferry bookings — not early — and to ensure all paperwork is correct and ready. Busiest time of day for incoming freight traffic where delays are most likely to occur is 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
Incoming coach parties could experience waits at Dover of up to two hours and Terminal Control reminds operators to allow for this when planning journeys so that driving hours regulations are not broken.