‘Worst it’s ever been’: travellers bemoan gridlock at Dover port

Holidaymakers and people travelling to visit family have found themselves stuck in six-hour queues to board ferries

Barbara and Zeger Degroot picked the Isle of Wight over the Alps for their summer holiday this year as they wanted a shorter drive from their home in the Netherlands. With one child in the back, one in the front and two - including a newborn baby - in the middle, it had seemed like a wise option - until they encountered six-hour queues at Dover port on their way back.

It's not ideal," said Barbara, adding that they had been on the road since 6.30am on Friday and did not expect to arrive home until late at night after missing their noon ferry, and were still stuck in queues outside the main port area at nearly 2pm.