Congestion chaos at the Dover port crossing is reportedly costing transport companies £800 per lorry – as British hauliers of perishable goods complain the long waiting times are causing products to go bad.

The suspension of P&O ferry services at the terminal as well as Easter traffic, IT issues and bad weather, have led to lengthy queues for transporters.

Hauliers of perishable goods now want to be given priority at the busy port in Kent.

According to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), some members have had to wait for over 24 hours to cross into mainland Europe which has caused meat and other perishables to go off.

A spokesperson for the BMPA said that ferry suspensions, after P&O sacked nearly 800 seafarers without notice, had combined with other issues to create a “perfect storm” of problems with the export process.

They said: “The priority for the authorities should be to help lorries with perishable goods get through as quickly as possible.

“Shelf life is being lost which costs money and creates waste and business will be lost if this continues.

Dover: Traffic chaos continues as lorry drivers stuck in a queue of more than 20 miles to get to port over P&O Ferries fallout and customs disruptions

Drivers warned to expect long delays as millions plan Easter getaway

P&O shift changes could compromise safety, report warned

“We need the authorities to review the situation as soon as possible and take some appropriate actions.”

One meat haulier, Eardley International, added lorries were experiencing delays of “20 to 25 hours to cross the Channel”.

Company director Graham Eardley explained the company, which is based in Lockerbie, Scotland, takes fresh meat from the UK into Europe.

He said the delays were costing the business up to £800 per lorry.

The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment.

Related posts:

Cameron took Greensill for ‘private drink’ with Hancock to discuss NHS payment scheme – report Gordon Brown suggests ex-PMs should be banned from lobbying for five years Unite leadership candidate suspended from Labour after saying Priti Patel ‘should be deported’ Indian variant can ‘spread like wildfire’ if people not jabbed – but ‘confidence’ vaccines work Parliament to be recalled next week over deteriorating Afghanistan situation ‘They’re not strangers’: Javid defends maskless Cabinet meeting after PM advised their use Javid ‘very upset’ over video of PM’s adviser joking about No 10 lockdown Christmas party No 10 Christmas parties: Who is Simon Case and what will he be investigating? Tory chairman ‘disgusted’ by Downing Street parties and calls for culture change Former Labour minister Lord Myners dies aged 73 Beth Rigby Interviews… Dame Kate Bingham Police raid Unite headquarters – one of UK’s most powerful trade unions