Kent’s summer getaway is expected to get underway today as the school holidays begin for thousands of families.

With some classrooms in the county now starting to close for the six-week break, more vehicles are expected on the roads this weekend.

Alongside people escaping on holiday, the hot and sunny weather - after record amounts of rain - is also likely to encourage more people into their cars for a day trip or visit to family and friends.

A yellow heat health warning has been issued for Kent, which is in place until 11pm Saturday night, with temperatures expected to skyrocket towards the 30s.

However one of the busiest travel weekends of the year got off to a slow and problematic start for many passengers on Friday morning thanks to a global IT outage that has affected computer systems at the Port of Dover, those belonging to some train operators and at airports and airlines worldwide.

A busy summer ahead

Port of Dover bosses have said they are are prepared for an “exceptionally busy” summer, with cross-Channel traffic set to increase by almost a third because of the Paris Olympics.

Competitions get underway in France on July 26 - three days after the last schools in Kent will close for the holidays.

Interest in the global sporting event is likely to increase traffic at the Port by 30% which is on top of the seasonal spike sparked by the start of the school holidays at the exact same time.

Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister explained: “We must factor in an anticipated increase in traveller numbers of 30%, who will be making their way to Paris for the Olympic Games, starting later this month.

”We have the added challenge of having to implement our infrastructure works required by France and the EU to support the EU’s new Entry / Exit system due to go live in October.

“On arrival at the port this summer, our customers will see the contractors we have on-site, working around an already busy 24/7 operation to construct these facilities.

“The effect of these works that are required to house the process means that our buffer zone, where traffic waits for French border clearance, will have a reduced capacity.

“We have added in as much capacity as we can to compensate, but we are advising those who will be using the port this summer that it will be exceptionally busy.”

On the M20, Operation Brock has returned alongside new plans for permits to stop lorry drivers ‘rat running’ in an attempt to skip the system.

The contraflow scheme, which sees lorries heading to the continent queue on the coastbound side between Junction 8 for Leeds Castle and 9 for Ashford, was redeployed earlier this month and is expected to remain in place throughout the summer holidays.

Simon Jones, strategic lead of the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, said it is doing all it can to manage the pressures on Kent’s network.

He explained: “We are doing everything we can to find more effective ways to manage traffic heading through Kent to cross the Channel, as we know that the impact of severe disruption on local communities and in Dover itself can really affect people’s lives and businesses.

“One thing that could help is stepping up measures to ensure that freight drivers stick to the plan, and cannot circumnavigate the queues.

“This only adds to congestion, particularly in the centre of Dover.

“However, these freight permits are not a ‘fix all' solution.

“There is no doubt that, in busy periods, the situation on the roads heading through Dover remains extremely fragile.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said with Kent being the ‘main gateway’ to the continent, which can affect traffic levels, drivers should be prepared for delays when motoring through the county.

He said; “Kent is the main gateway to Europe with both Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover expecting a glut of passengers as the summer holidays begin.

“Roads in Kent become particularly busy during the holidays, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Those heading out and about should plan ahead by check their route before setting off, carrying plenty of water and snacks as well as entertainment for younger travellers.”