Travelling to Dover

[Gafferbill]

.........you need to be aware of two on going possible issues that may affect your journey.

.........if you are using the Dartford Crossing the toll payment is now collected automatically using vehicle number plate recognition technology.
You will need to pay the Dart Charge if you pass through the barriers unless you pass through between 22.00hrs and 06.00hrs when there is no charge.
The French company that operates the system are having teething troubles largely due to having completely underestimated the volume of traffic and subsequent workload that is involved.
Reported problems are fines being issued for non payment even though payment has been made and payment taken even though no crossings have been undertaken.
There is no provision for arriving at the barriers and making a payment.
..................................................................................................................................................

.........there has been recent disruption (July 18th) to the Ferries operating from Dover.
This results in Freight Traffic (Heavy Goods Vehicles) being marshalled by Police officers before being permitted to enter the port.
This marshalling (Operation Stack) takes place on a large section of the M20 causing closure of the Dover/ Folkestone bound carriageway and causes a diversion to all other traffic and inevitable delays.
This is a fluid situation so best advice is to check the latest information.

 

[Craigyoung]

[/quote]
Heading down there in e few weeks , hope its not like that then ! As for the Dartford crossing , took about 60 seconds to pay for it on line .

 

[JoannaLesley]

We are using the tunnel on 1st August, travelling from the south west. From the news and these pictures, it looks as if we cannot use the M20. Is that so? Are there well signed diversions for tunnel customers? It would seem from their website that the approach from the A20 is not usable either.

I realise that it is still a couple of weeks away and things change very quickly, but are there any road problems on the Coquelles side?
Jo

 

[Raywood]

The French unions have threatened to cause chaos all summer so so this route could be a problem for some time. There have also been problems at Caen and I understand other channel ports so last minute changes may be needed.

 

[Woodentop]

The alternative is A2/M2/A2 which is not used for Operation Stack.

Whether your ferry will be running or not is a different matter!

 

[chrisbee1]

We are using the tunnel on 1st August, travelling from the south west. From the news and these pictures, it looks as if we cannot use the M20. Is that so? Are there well signed diversions for tunnel customers? It would seem from their website that the approach from the A20 is not usable either.

I realise that it is still a couple of weeks away and things change very quickly, but are there any road problems on the Coquelles side?
Jo

From the south west I assume you will come M25/M26/M20. If phase 2 of op stack is in place the matrix signs will also say "Dover tourist traffic use A249/M2" and direct you off the M20 at junc7. However, for the tunnel, you can stay on the M20 to junc 8 where all traffic is directed off the motorway (there will be a queue ). Trucks rejoin the M20 to queue up but you will be sent down the A20 to re-join the motorway at junc 9 ahead of the trucks. The A20 diversion will be busy but in theory free of freight traffic.