Guest adhple Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Have you recently got through the Operation Stack on the M20 to catch a ferry to France, I going next week and was wondering how to get there without getting stuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 It would help to know which direction you are coming from, and whether to tunnel or port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Brian Kirby - 2015-07-29 2:43 PM It would help to know which direction you are coming from, and whether to tunnel or port. Do they run ferries from the tunnel yet :D To the Op, just avoid the M20, or follow the diversions if stack is in operation, but allow a good deal of extra time to reach Dover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 If coming from Dartford crossing use the M2, just as quick anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest adhple Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 We are coming from Heathrow direction and catching a P&O ferry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Then, as Rupert suggests, take M2 via Canterbury, instead of M20. You will approach Dover from the north and curl down off the cliffs just by the port entrance. Relying on the diversions around stack is likely to prove a bit fraught. Kent police told me that stack usually operates between junctions 8 (Maidstone East), and 9 (Ashford West). However, if delays persist it is extended junction by junction as far down as junction 11, which is the one before the tunnel exit, and could exceptionally also be extended back toward London. They make the decision when truck traffic exceeds the rate of boarding, so it is a fluid situation that can vary by the hour in response to circumstance. The standard diversion is published on the Kent police website, mainly running via the A20, but as this has to take the displaced non-truck traffic as well its normal traffic, delays can be severe. In addition, the loop back via the A20 from junction 12 to junction 11A (the tunnel exit) is currently unusable due to roadworks by Eurotunnel (details on their website). In short, access to Dover (or the tunnel) via the M20 is a variable mess, and the best plan is to avoid it if at all possible. P&O say they are currently running a normal service, and expect to be able to continue doing so - providing the My Ferry strikers don't again block the port entrance, as they did a couple of weeks back. DFDS are operating to Dunkirk only, but are quite heavily booked around mid-day. They are currently unable to operate to Calais, as the My Ferry vessels are still occupying their berths. The tunnel is prone to random delays and cancellations, as the strikers and the would-be migrants circle around the terminal looking for new ways to disrupt the service, or to get in. Chaos rules, and it seems likely to continue for a while. Best to avoid the short crossings if you can, or to prioritize P&O Dover - Calais if the western crossings don't appeal. BTW, P&O said they are recommending returning traffic to access the port via the town, rather than via the eastern bypass (Rocade Est), to by pass the migrant hot spots on the approach. I assume they mean via the D119, but I have no further details. Presumably they are giving this advice on board, or sending it with tickets. The route looks OK for motorhomes, but will inevitably be that bit slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldi Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Evening all, Instead of going down the m26 continue on the m25 towards Dartford tunnel then come off at the m2 junction which I think is junction 1. norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stantheman Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 This is a good thread. While the current situation persists, I would urge all members who have travelled through the Dover/Folkestone/Calais route to post their experiences on this forum asap in order to keep all of us up-to-date on the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest adhple Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks Brian Kirby I will give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisden Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I Live near Maidstone. The situation is changing day by day. Stay away from the M20 south of Maidstone. Also the A20 and Ashford is grid locked at busy times due to Stack. So Dover go Via M2/A2 IMO. Friends yesterday took a day trip to France via P&O Went via Sittingbourne and queued so long at Dover with a booked crossing they missed their ship. Reason was no dedicated pre booked lane and people lane hopping to get on a crossing without a reservation. P&O filling their boots because of the tunnels. Trip back was far less stressful and they drove straight on. Hope that helps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FRANKP60 Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Just make sure you leave plenty of time to get there ,last Sunday it took my brother in law two hours to get from top of Jubilee way A2 down into port ,possibly mile and half it that . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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