There has been major disruption at the Port of Dover after hundreds of masked "stop the boats" protesters block access
Traffic was stopped from going in and out of the port, but access roads to the site are "now free flowing", it says
Kent Police says "all involved had dispersed by midday" and no arrests have been made - a government spokesperson condemns the behaviour and "the disruption it has caused"
Images from the scene show large crowds of demonstrators, dressed in black and wearing face coverings, while people could be heard chanting "stop the boats"
Earlier, local Reform UK councillor Paul King said he had been told it is a "stop the boats protest"
While demonstrations against illegal immigration are common in Dover, today's has been on a different scale, our reporter on the scene writes
Simon Jones
Reporting from Dover
There are lots of police here, they are marching protesters towards Dover railway station.
The demonstrators have been chanting: "Stop the boats."
Protesters told me they don’t want to talk to the media, though one said: "Send them back" and another said: "Stop the boats."
The Port of Calais in France is not currently being affected by the protest in Dover.
A spokesperson for the port tells the BBC operators are continuing to load cargo, although ships are departing with slight delays.
The port is monitoring the situation, the spokesperson adds.
Image source, PA MediaHundreds of cars were seen queuing at the busy port in May
The Port of Dover is the UK’s busiest international ferry port with over 15,000 passenger vehicles using it each day in the summer.
More than 10,000 freight vehicles also pass through the port each day and the site handles £144bn of trade each year.
Around 33% of UK trade with the European Union moves across the Channel from the port.
The site is also home to 25 different cruise lines and thousands of guests each year.
National Highways says the A20 east between A256 (York Street) and A2 (Jubilee Way) remains closed, with around one mile (1.6km) of congestion and 25-minute delays on approach.
In its latest update on X, it says the westbound route is "mostly clear of traffic, but remains blocked from Limekiln roundabout".
Image source, UK ParliamentDover and Deal MP Mike Tapp, pictured above, tells the BBC the incident is causing "absolutely awful disruption" for residents.
"My understanding is a number of individuals have travelled to the area, wearing black, wearing balaclavas, and have blocked a number of roads leading into the port area," he says.
Paul King, Reform UK councillor for Dover West, says he has been told the demonstration is a "stop the boats protest".
Tapp adds on Facebook: "I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption.
"I bet if you asked any one of those 'protesters' they wouldn't know small boat crossing are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess."
Kent Police has not yet commented on who is behind the protest.
P&O Ferries says access to the port "has been partially restored and traffic is currently able to access the port via the M2/A2, access remains restricted from the M20/A20".
It adds services are operating "with some delay" amid the disruption, but is promising to get passengers onto the next available sailing when they reach check-in.
Meanwhile, ferry operator DFDS says it is aware of the "current traffic disruption" and will accommodate passengers on the next departure once they arrive.
Image source, Remco van Schellen
Image source, Remco van SchellenThere is major disruption at the Port of Dover due to a large group of masked men holding a demonstration.
National Highways says protesters are "blocking all traffic entering the port".
Traffic is stopped in both directions on the A20 between A256 York Street & A2 Jubilee Way, it says, with around three miles (4.8km) of congestion and 30 minute delays on approach.
Kent Police says it is aware of a protest "currently taking place" at the ferry terminal and is "engaging with protesters".
This is a breaking news story – we’ll bring you updates here.
