Today, Britain faces unprecedented travel chaos as massive queues at Dover and a record number of vehicles hit the roads, marking the start of the summer holiday rush. With Eurostar services still disrupted following a serious arson attack on the French rail network, travellers are experiencing delays and cancellations, adding to the gridlock.

The RAC has reported that motorists are facing over two-hour waits on the M5 as 3.6 million cars are anticipated to be on the move today, with another 2.9 million trips expected tomorrow. The congestion primarily affects those heading south towards holiday hotspots in Devon and Cornwall, drawn by the promise of warm weather.

Adding to the chaos, Eurostar has had to cancel about a quarter of its trains between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam due to the arson attack, which targeted rail lines ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. The company has advised passengers to delay their travel if possible, with disruptions expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Airports are not spared either. Lengthy queues have formed at Manchester and Heathrow airports as travellers endure long wait times at check-in desks. The situation at Heathrow is particularly severe, with some passengers sleeping on the floor as they wait for their flights.

At Dover, both holidaymakers and freight traffic face significant delays due to rigorous border control checks. The situation is exacerbated by the increased security measures in place ahead of the Olympic Games.

Transportation officials have described this weekend as potentially the second busiest summer getaway since 2015, with a total of 13.8 million trips planned between Friday and Sunday. Despite advice to travel early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak times, many find themselves caught in extensive traffic jams.

In response to the ongoing disruptions, transport authorities and the Prime Minister have urged travellers to reconsider their plans and stay informed about the latest travel updates. The chaos underscores the fragile state of travel networks during peak periods and the impact of unexpected disruptions like the arson attack on international travel plans.