Ford Anglia Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Came back via Calais yesterday at around 4pm.45 minutes queue for passports, 15 minutes queue for tickets, another 25 minutes for immigration/security, then a further 30 minutes at Dover for UK customs, where around 15 jobsworths stood around giving every car hard stares as we passed through.Welcome to the UK[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEO Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 [quote user="Ford Anglia"] Came back via Calais yesterday at around 4pm.45 minutes queue for passports, 15 minutes queue for tickets, another 25 minutes for immigration/security, then a further 30 minutes at Dover for UK customs, where around 15 jobsworths stood around giving every car hard stares as we passed through.Welcome to the UK[:(][/quote] Phew......thank god you were wearing a watch ,and had your pocket calculator with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 One of the things I like about the tunnel is that all this stuff gets done before you leave French soil. At least you know how late you're going to be before you set off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 [quote user="Ford Anglia"]Came back via Calais yesterday at around 4pm.45 minutes queue for passports, 15 minutes queue for tickets, another 25 minutes for immigration/security, then a further 30 minutes at Dover for UK customs, where around 15 jobsworths stood around giving every car hard stares as we passed through.Welcome to the UK[:(][/quote]I'm all right Jack, I live in France with no need or desire to return to England.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I guess its extra busy because some areas have 'back to school' next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEO Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 [quote user="Russethouse"]I guess its extra busy because some areas have 'back to school' next week.[/quote]Hi Russethouse ,Are some of the forum mebers still at school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 I presume you mean "went" back and I wonder which ferry you used ?With Norfolk Line all but the UK customs check is completed at Dunkerque and I've never had a hold up at Dover UK despite lugging a large box trailer back and forth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Anglia Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 [quote user="ErnieY"]I presume you mean "went" back and I wonder which ferry you used ?With Norfolk Line all but the UK customs check is completed at Dunkerque and I've never had a hold up at Dover UK despite lugging a large box trailer back and forth. [/quote]Nope, "came back" as we still live in the UK[:(].We used the 1820 Calais-Dover, P&O.NO holdups attribtable to P&O, ALL down to UK passports, security, customs etc etc etc .Edit: Last line of this post removed. Hoddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Oh, that's OK then, just the statutory authorities doing what they're paid to do rather than inefficient P&O staff causing the delays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I still do not really understand why passport and customs controls cannot be made on French soil, as they are with the tunnel, so that on arrival at the UK port, you can just drive off the ferry and get on your way. I'm sure there's a good reason - theoretically at least - but what is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemage Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 we also came back on Friday via P & O. We thought it would make a change for the kids as we usually use the tunnel- only took 1 hour to unload and pass through customs- now I know why I use the tunnel - i also think that they saved all of the roadworks on the M25 for friday night. It's hard enough to return after so long in rural France these things just give us more to feel blue about!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 [quote user="cooperlola"]I still do not really understand why passport and customs controls cannot be made on French soil, as they are with the tunnel, so that on arrival at the UK port, you can just drive off the ferry and get on your way. I'm sure there's a good reason - theoretically at least - but what is it?[/quote]Well here's my theory - Dover being a port means that you can arrive there from just about anywhere, therefore you need the facilities to check people. The tunnel of course you can only come from one place, therefore you only have to check one end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I assume something of the sort but then how do you explain Ernie's experiences of Dunkerque, above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 [quote user="cooperlola"]I assume something of the sort but then how do you explain Ernie's experiences of Dunkerque, above?[/quote]I did say theory - it's been a while since using Dover, the last couple of years exclusively using the tunnel, but do remember some crossings where there were at times "nobody at home" in the customs. It doesn't of course explain never having a hold up. There is no doubt it would be convenient, but seems unlikely this could be cost effective with several ports feeding into Dover, plus all the other possible points of departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Came by using Seafrance eralier this year - passport control etc done at Calais.Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llantony Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 We came back to Dover on 29th via P & O and there was no delay in Calais and no-one stopped us at all in Dover, we just drove out.(We had booked a £25 Speedferry crossing but our car broke down and when I phoned to re-book they said there was no availability for a week!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now