British holidaymakers are hit by ‘five hour’ delays at Calais border controls with no explanation of why logjam has been caused

British holidaymakers have been hit by ‘five hour’ delays at border checks in Calais, with no explanation from French authorities as to what caused the hold-up.

Families returning to Britain have faced serious delays at the French border, with people waiting for hours to board coaches and ferries.

It was reported today that there is a five-hour wait for coaches at border controls and that customers would be transferred at the next available border crossing.

One mother said: ‘My son has been stuck on his school bus for hours, plus the journey to the port and they have been on the bus for over 8 hours, they are running low on drinks and their phone battery is low. This is a shame.’

Another said: ‘We have been on the bus for over 27 hours now. It is an absolute disgrace for the port authorities to allow such a massive build-up. Nobody has water anymore. We’re about to miss a fourth ferry.’

Over the weekend, drivers faced massive queues of up to 12 hours as they waited for the ferry home from Calais to Kent.

A spokeswoman for the port of Calais said this KentOnline that the problems were due to ‘delays at border controls’ and that the teams were ‘doing their utmost to welcome travelers as best as possible’.

But as it stands, holidaymakers have not been told why they are facing such long delays, with some calling the scenes ‘carnage’.

Queues at Calais harbor as families compete to get on the ferry home

Passengers queue for the ferries at the port of Dover in Kent over the Easter weekend. Photo taken on March 29, 2024

A mother told the local newspaper that she arrived at the port at 4pm on Friday, May 31, to board the 7pm boat, but was instead given a 9.05pm time to cross the Channel.

She told KentOnline: “Carnage isn’t the right word for it,” she said. “It would be understandable if there was some organization, but it was a piece of cake getting on the ferry.”

She added: ‘People were shouting and screeching at each other as people tried to get in front of each other.’

The mother went on to say that she normally takes the Eurotunnel, but thought it would be ‘nice’ if the family took the ferry.

However, she admitted that ‘it definitely wasn’t worth it’, despite saving a total of £40.

It comes after Britons faced Easter holiday misery in April, queuing for hours at Portugal’s Faro International Airport due to alleged staff shortages.

Travelers claimed they were delayed by three hours due to e-Gate glitches and a lack of information from airlines.

They described an ‘airport massacre’, with children crying and some fainting as they waited in vain to arrive or travel back to Britain.

Yvette Hughes took to X, formerly Twitter, to call out airline Jet 2 over the chaos in Faro.

She wrote: ‘What the hell is going on? 3.5 hours in line at security.

‘My knees are swollen, someone has fainted, children are crying. Not even a bit of information from anyone.’

Yvette Hughes was among the holidaymakers stuck in chaos at Faro airport over the Easter bank holiday weekend in March

Hundreds of people queued for Eurostar train services at St Pancras International station in central London as part of the Easter holidays

Tourists described how electronic gates did not work in March due to alleged staff shortages

The airline told her: “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. However, the same has been forwarded to us for quick action.

‘Please send us a direct message and we will keep you informed as soon as possible.’

Mrs Hughes later responded by saying: ‘Still in line and no answer. 4 hours.’

Another passenger wrote: ‘Leftfully queued for 3 hours at customs at Faro airport. My flight was only an hour and forty.’

And a fellow traveler wrote: ‘Faro Airport. Not enough staff. Electronic gates that don’t work. People remained stuck for more than 3 hours and did not move. Happy Easter.’

A source within Portugal’s Polícia de Segurança Pública told newspaper Correio da Manhã that the chaos occurred during “peak” passenger arrivals.