The Port of Dover has urged ferry passengers to prepare for delays as the bank holiday getaway begins and roads to popular tourist spots become congested.Schools will finish for the half-term break this afternoon ahead of the first holiday period since the EU's new Entry Exit System (EES) came into force on April 10.The scheme involves people from third-party countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the free movement Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries mainly in the EU including France.Border checks are expected to be lengthier because some countries are creating a digital profile for travellers despite not yet taking their photos and fingerprints.In Dover, where people pass through the French border before getting on ferries across the English Channel, machines are in place to register biometric checks.While the French have not yet switched on the machines, border officials will still do part of the process for each tourist and set up a profile linked to the new system.Officials in Dover said in an update at 8am this morning that there was a 90-minute processing time for tourist traffic in the lanes known as the 'Buffer Zone'.Some 18,000 cars are expected to travel through the port between today and Sunday - with 8,000 tomorrow on what will be the busiest day. Four hundred coaches are anticipated today, and the busiest periods each day will be between 6am and 1pm.Motorists queue at check-in to cross the Channel at the Port of Dover in Kent this morningAnyone who misses their booked sailing due to delays has been reassured that the ferry operator will try to move them onto the next available departure at check-in.The Port urged motorists to travel to the ferry terminal at the eastern docks via main routes only on the M2/A2 and M20/A20 to avoid causing local traffic delays.It comes as roads to popular tourist destinations are expected to become congested – with the AA having estimated 23.4million car journeys will take place today. What the Port of Dover is telling travellers This is the advisory message issued by the Port of Dover to customers:This is the first holiday period since the full implementation of the EU Entry Exit System in Dover by French authorities, therefore passenger cooperation with travel advice to support the smoothest journey for everyone is even more important.• Please travel to the port via main routes only (M2/A2 and M20/A20), as this keeps the town of Dover clear and ultimately is a faster process for everyone• In the event that delays result in passengers missing their booked sailing, they will be accommodated on the next available departure at check-in.• Passengers should arrive no more than two hours prior to their scheduled sailing, with all required documentation ready for inspection.• Passengers are advised to ensure they have a confirmed booking before travelling.• We recommend taking suitable rest breaks ahead of arrival at the port. Passengers should also bring water, snacks, and entertainment for children and families. Those travelling with dogs are advised to ensure pets are walked, watered, and rested prior to travel.• Regular updates are available on our Travel X account Likely traffic blackspots will include routes heading towards east coast destinations such as Skegness, the M4 from London towards Wales, and the M6 towards the north-west coast.The RAC expects leisure traffic to peak today and tomorrow.Meanwhile strike action and engineering work will cause disruption on a number of routes on Britain's railways.Walkouts by members of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association today and tomorrow in a dispute over pay will affect West Midlands Railway (WMR) and London Northwestern Railway services.Timetables will be slashed on both days, including no WMR trains after 7pm tonight or before 7am tomorrow.Network Rail engineering work means parts of key intercity lines will be shut.The East Coast Main Line will be closed between York and Darlington from tomorrow through to Monday.Buses will replace trains between Newport and Bristol Parkway from tomorrow for two weeks.There will be no Thameslink services through central London between tomorrow and Monday, affecting services to Gatwick and Luton airports.Travel trade organisation Abta said there will be a surge in families heading off on holiday this weekend as it marks the start of half-term breaks for many schools.It reported strong demand for short-haul sunshine holidays in destinations such as mainland Spain, Italy, the Balearic and Canary Islands, and Portugal, as well as city breaks in Milan, Nice and Barcelona.But representative body Airports Council International reported last month that EES was causing delays of up to three hours, with airports in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy among the worst affected.More than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester last month because of delays at passport desks caused by the ramp up of EES.