PORT authorities, police, county council and Highways Agency officials are gearing up for a busy weekend as people head for the continent for the Easter break, and problems continue with the berths at Calais.

Thousands of motorists are expected to arrive at Dover to catch ferries crossing to France. This is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year so far for traffic at the port.

SpeedFerries' high speed service to Boulogne and Norfolkline's ships, which go to Dunkerque, are not affected by the on-going problems at Calais.

Hoverspeed, who have their own dedicated berth at Calais for the SeaCats, are not likely to be affected either. But P&O Ferries and SeaFrance sailings could suffer disruption.

Some of the berths at Calais are out of action because of maintenance work and safety reasons. The ramp at one berth collapsed on February 8, plunging two lorries into the sea. That ramp is still out of operation, awaiting repair work, and other ramps were taken out of use for safety inspections.

Strikes by French seamen caused more disruption this week as they protested about talks going on in the French parliament over shipping legislation. Riot police had to be brought in at one stage to secure the Port of Calais, and tear gas was used to break up some of the demonstrations.

All this has been very damaging to the Port of Dover, and has resulted in Operation Stack being used on the M20. This weekend, a new system will be used which will still close off the coast-bound carriageway of the M20 so that lorries can be stacked, but rather than divert cars onto the A20, a contraflow system will be introduced on the London-bound carriageway of the M20.