LONDON (AP) — On Saturday, the Port of Dover experienced significant delays leading to extra European Union border checks being suspended. This decision was made after a large number of passengers endured long waits in what became the hottest day of the year, with temperatures soaring to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) as they sought to embark on ferries across the English Channel for a three-day weekend.

French border authorities halted the collection of additional data required from non-EU passengers to expedite processing times. Travelers faced extensive lines, and reports indicated that some individuals were stranded for hours while awaiting boarding. Driver Jon Lelliot recounted his frustrating experience, telling the BBC that it took him six hours to finally get onto his ferry.

The situation at Dover came in the wake of the recent implementation of the new EU Entry-Exit System (EES), which utilizes biometric screening methods, including photos and fingerprints, to replace traditional passport stamping. Despite its introduction about a month ago, the system's application can be temporarily suspended during peak travel times, a measure that proved necessary amid the busy holiday weekend.

Saturday marked a significant test for the EES system, as it was predicted that around 8,000 vehicles had made reservations to travel from Dover to France. Doug Bannister, the CEO of the Port of Dover, expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow processing at the border, stating that despite prior assurances from both UK and French authorities regarding the system's efficiency, actual conditions fell short of expectations.

Fortunately, as the day progressed and border checks were put on hold, wait times began to decrease, offering some relief to the frustrated travelers. Port officials noted that this suspension played a critical role in improving the flow of traffic at the busy channel crossing, allowing many passengers to continue their journeys after a challenging start to their holiday plans.