Channel crossings

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Moosehead

Have been brave and booked ferry for Spa! Going out Wednesday morning so hopefully will give us time for any delays!

Think that's a fairly safe bet, Moose. Delays on Eurotunnel and Ferries happen regardless, so always best to build in a cushion if you can. There are of course also busy periods and quieter periods, and with freight during weekdays it's almost like rush hour- avoid that and you'll get a boat quicker. Busiest period from Dover is usually late afternoon to early evening, when all the mainland truckers have done their drop and are going home!

My favourite reason for ferry delays is 'operational reasons'- that covers anything from check-in system crashed to a boat embedded in the harbour wall.......

[Mike Bell]

Seems Calais port problems won't go away! Today it appears that 'Security' decided to go on strike, resulting in 900 trucks being jammed into the port holding area (good sport for migrants in there!), and queues on approach dual carriageways.

Not sure exactly what function 'Security' carry out, perhaps they operate the sheds where trucks are checked for excess heart beats etc? Last week I arrived at the port at 0540, and they weren't in operation despite heavy freight traffic. It was 0600 before anyone started to move, so maybe there is more Union discontent......

[Colin McKay]

Despite not featuring on the daily news, the problems haven't gone away. One of our guys queued at Folkestone for 8 hours today, anything from 3-6 hours is now the norm.

This raised a smile in the office...roads around Rouen were gridlocked today because circus and fairground workers were protesting. I'd have paid money to see that!!!

[terence]

Just being reported on Sky, immigrants broke into and entered a truck, they soon bailed out though.Big cage with an enormous Polar Bear whom they had woken up was not too friendly.
Mike, start a Polar Bear rental company.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by terence

Just being reported on Sky, immigrants broke into and entered a truck, they soon bailed out though.Big cage with an enormous Polar Bear whom they had woken up was not too friendly.
Mike, start a Polar Bear rental company.

You beat me to it- that was just on Beeb as well! Loose Rottweiler in the back would be enough (or even Jack Russell), methinks....

The Calais 'industrial action' is continuing today, it seems. Lucky the majority heading for Portugal this weekend will be leaving from the south coast.... And agree, Colin, I queued for 2 hours at Dover on way to Ricard other week, and believe Delta had an even longer wait next day on route to Dijon. Just to show that when all is working as intended- on way back from Spa last month, from approaching Calais inspection sheds to dockside took 5 minutes- at 0900 on a Monday morning!

[Mike Bell]

http://www.dover-express.co.uk/BREAK...ail/story.html

According to travel news this morning, still delays caused by 'industrial action'!

New year, same old problems.....

[Colin McKay]

Our man this morning started north of Paris at 03.00...arrived Coquelles 04.55...arrived Folkestone 08.25 so approx 2 hour delay which is what we call a good result nowadays.

[Mike Bell]

So who's willing to risk Dover Calais as things are now!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

So who's willing to risk Dover Calais as things are now!

It's getting ridiculous but you have to feel sorry for the truck drivers that have to run the gauntlet of these people every day

[MGDavid]

As we have a booked crossing in a couple of weeks I'm hoping yesterday was a one-off. There was a rally & march in Calais town for migrants and supporters, presumably many of the police normally detailed to the port approach were in town instead, and a bunch of opportunistic migrants had a go....

[Cliff Ryan]

I'm also going across the Eurotunnel in a couple of weeks, on way to first Retromobile visit, hopefully should be ok running the gauntlet as I'm not towing or in a truck.

[YorkshireLad]

I haven't booked my ferry yet for LeMans, what's Portsmouth-LeHavre like anyone?

It's my worst nightmare arriving Dover with wife and two young children, waiting 5hours etc due to all this immigrant crap.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by YorkshireLad

I haven't booked my ferry yet for LeMans, what's Portsmouth-LeHavre like anyone?

It's my worst nightmare arriving Dover with wife and two young children, waiting 5hours etc due to all this immigrant crap.

I suppose the only downside is the 6 to 8 hour crossing, especially if it's rough, but I think you may save a lot of that time in reduced driving once on the other side. Portsmouth to Ouistreham might be a slightly better bet

[delta]

Originally Posted by YorkshireLad

I haven't booked my ferry yet for LeMans, what's Portsmouth-LeHavre like anyone?

It's my worst nightmare arriving Dover with wife and two young children, waiting 5hours etc due to all this immigrant crap.

Get an overnight Ferry. The kids will love it. Le Mans is only a couple of hours from the port .

[YorkshireLad]

£108 return for Dover-Calais, £168 channel tunnel return, £360 return Portsmouth-Caen.

I can get to Le Mans from Leeds in our insignia on a full tank plus I like drive the whole journey in one go so I'm liking the tunnel idea. We usually set off at 10pm on Friday get there just after midday on the Saturday (Calais-Dover ferry).

[johnw]

Newhaven - Dieppe is worth a look.

[wolfhound]

Don't forget the ferries in June will be full of football types.