Motorists have suffered long delays as queues left major roads into Dover gridlocked.

Travellers have been warned that routes into the port are congested – but there are signs the queues are easing this evening.

Just before 8pm, The Port of Dover tweeted: "Roads leading to the Port in Dover are busy but expect to be free flowing in the next hour or so.

"Please contact your ferry operator for information on your ferry sailing. Please have documents and passports ready for inspection when you arrive at Border Controls."

But minutes later, it warned: "The Port is working hard with all its partners to move traffic as fast as possible through the Port.

"Waiting time from the front of the Port to your Ferry Operators check-in is approx. 2hrs. Please come prepared for this wait."

Delays have been causing misery for motorists all day.

Just before 6pm, Marieke tweeted: "What’s going on at the Port of Dover?

"We’ve been stuck in traffic for almost 3 hours (and counting – we’re near the Marina but haven’t moved an inch for the past 15 minutes!) and have missed our 6 pm ferry... Now what?"

A number of roads in the town itself were heavily congestion at around 3pm today.

These include the roundabout for York Street and Folkestone Road, and Maison Dieu Road, just before Pencester Road.

Drivers also faced traffic at the A20 Townwall Street.

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott said people had been contacting him about the queues.

He tweeted: "Have been liaising with @kent_police this afternoon following concerns raised with me about congestion in Dover.

"Agencies are working together to manage the traffic, including passengers and freight, as best as they can."

Traffic is at a standstill on the A2 Jubilee Way with social media reports that some motorists have been queuing for hours.

One lane is also closed on the A20 coastbound from the Roundhill Tunnel due to Dover TAP being implemented today.

Some reports on social media suggested the delays were due to problems with French passport control.

The Port of Dover says tourists arriving without tickets are causing further delays.

P&O Ferries has asked people not travel to the port unless they have booked a ticket to travel, as it has limited space on sailings.

A third ferry operated by the company, Pride of Canterbury, was on Friday cleared to sail again between Dover and Calais after passing safety inspections.

The ferries Pride of Kent and Spirit of Britain are already back in operation after passing similar checks earlier this month.

Bus company Stagecoach has also tweeted to say it is unable to serve certain bus routes in Dover due to the problems.

The Port of Dover has warned that the situation is likely to last for a number of hours.

The area's MP Natalie Elphicke tweeted today: "It is concerning that the half-term holiday getaway brings traffic chaos to Dover once more.

"The ‘TAP’ road management system has caused overnight misery for two nights running for Dover’s Aycliffe residents.

"Today also sees rat-running building up through Dover town.

"I remain in frequent contact with the Kent Resilience Forum and Transport Ministers to Keep Dover Clear.

"It’s vital that there is a review of National Highways’ current sticking plaster approach - which increasingly doesn’t work for Dover, Kent or the UK as a whole.

It comes amid an event packed weekend with fans heading to the Champions League final in Paris yesterday and families leaving for Europe for school's half term and the Platinum Jubilee.

Congestion was expected on the county roads with huge numbers of holidaymakers making their escape - with the majority expected to head for the Channel and across to Europe.

As it stands, Operation Brock is in place on the M20 to meet demands of the four day bank holiday and reduced ferry capacity brought on by P&O's sacking of staff back in March.

The operation queues lorries heading to Dover on one side of the M20, while a contraflow system runs on the remaining carriageway.

In accordance with Dover Tap, introduced in April 2015, new traffic restrictions have been in place to help Dover’s residents go about their business without disruption from traffic using the Port, and to improve air quality in the town.