French police have temporarily suspended extra EU border checks at the port of Dover as thousands of holidaymakers face long delays in the hot weather.<\/p>\n
Waiting times of more than two hours were reported at the terminal in Kent for the cross-Channel ferry to France<\/a>.<\/p>\n The EU\u2019s entry-exit system (EES), which replaces passport stamps with a digital registration, became fully operational last month. The port of Dover said Saturday was the \u201cfirst peak period\u201d since the new procedures were introduced.<\/p>\n Describing the situation as \u201cchallenging\u201d, the port posted on X: \u201cWe are pleased that Police Aux Fronti\u00e8res (PAF) have responded positively by invoking the article 9 clause of the EES regulations.\u201d This allows for checks to be temporarily relaxed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile conventional border checks will still be undertaken, this will now enable PAF to significantly reduce the border processing time,\u201d the port added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be working with PAF and all our partners to get customers into and through the port as swiftly as possible and keep the roads clear for our local community.\u201d<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n The UK had its hottest day of the year so far on Saturday with the highest temperature of 30.5C recorded in Kent<\/a>, the Met Office said.<\/p>\n Images at Dover showed long queues of cars at the congested terminal, which is the departure point for ferries to Calais in northern France, a popular route for British tourists, especially at the start of the half-term school holidays in England<\/a> and Wales.<\/p>\n The port said passengers who missed their ferry crossing because of delays would be able to travel on the next available crossing. It advised drivers to stay in their cars and treat its staff with \u201ckindness and respect\u201d, adding that \u201cunacceptable behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated\u201d.<\/p>\n Queues at Dover on Friday, the last day of the school term in England and Wales. Photograph: Gareth Fuller\/PA<\/p>\n EasyJet has called on EU countries \u2013 particularly Spain \u2013 to drop the new rules over concerns holidaymakers could face lengthy delays, with the company\u2019s chief executive, Kenton Jarvis, saying the additional checks would \u201cput [holidaymakers] off\u201d travelling.<\/p>\n With the exception of Ireland and Cyprus, the EES is used by EU countries and other countries that are part of the Schengen free movement area, including Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.<\/p>\n Non-EU passengers and some transport providers have raised concerns about the system, especially those in Britain, which left the EU in 2020 under Brexit<\/a>.<\/p>\n The European Commission said the system was designed to make the EU\u2019s borders more secure, efficient and strong against irregular migration.<\/p>\n