Brits stuck in huge queues as summer holiday getaway begins & drivers warned of ‘midweek mayhem' as 14m take to roads
The disruption has been caused by a series of road closures and
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Massive queues have built up at the Port of Dover
Credit: Gary Stone
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Travel plans have been thrown into chaos after a series of disruption
Credit: Gary Stone
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Drivers have been spotted getting out of their cars as they wait
Credit: Gary Stone
The end of July is one of the most popular times for Brits to head off abroad, as the
However, the huge surge in journeys to
The RAC estimates that up to 13.9 million journeys could be made between July 21 and July 24.
2.3 million trips were estimated on Monday, with a further 2 million being made just a day later.
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The RAC believes that this could be the biggest number of car journeys made midweek since records began.
The dreaded annual 'Frantic Friday' - the first Friday following the
The
Authorities closed the road at 5.40am, with police responding to 'concern for a person' spotted on the motorway.
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Although the road reopened at 8.40am, congestion is still easing after a huge backlog of cars.
Throughout all of the chaos, heavy queues have been steadily building at the Port of Dover - with drivers being forced to wait before heading abroad.
July 1 'backseat passenger' law will fine drivers $25 for every single person in car who fails to 'make it click'
Some holidaymakers have been spotted leaving their cars, as the queues continued to build, waiting beside the side of the road.
Brits have been spotted sitting on fences between roads as they wait, despite travel experts previously warning that this is unsafe.
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The Port of
The Met Office has placed
The warning will last until 5pm today, as the area is hit with 'slow-moving heavy showers'.
Thunderstorms could also lead to disruption in the tourist route, as the Met Office has warned of damage to buildings, delays to train services and power losses throughout the region.
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Residents in Kent and Sussex have been told to expect 25mm on rain in less than an hour, which could build to 40mm of rain in some areas.
Meteorologists have urged drivers to avoid delays by checking road conditions before driving and to prepare for rapidly changing weather warnings.
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