Dover port traffic restored after masked anti-immigration protest
Protesters opposing Channel migrant crossings blocked roads around Britain’s largest international ferry port before traffic resumed around noon.
Dozens of masked protesters opposing migrant crossings in the English Channel briefly halted traffic around the Port of Dover on Saturday, disrupting ferry access between England and France.
The protesters, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, chanted “stop the boats” as they faced police. The precise roads blocked, the group’s affiliations and the total duration of the disruption have not been established.
The Port of Dover said traffic in and out had been stopped during an “ongoing public order incident”. The National Highways agency reported a 6.4-kilometre traffic jam, while local police said they were engaging with protesters.
Traffic was “free flowing” again around noon, and P&O Ferries confirmed access to the port had been restored. The available information does not indicate that all ferry services were cancelled.
The UK government condemned the action, saying the right to peaceful protest was fundamental but that the behaviour in Dover had caused unacceptable travel disruption. A local councillor described the protest as apparently related to illegal migration, though that assessment has not been independently confirmed.
The demonstration comes amid continued political debate over small-boat crossings, an issue the Reform UK party has used to build support. The Labour government says crossings were at their lowest summer level since 2019, partly citing cooperation with France.
