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Channel port blockades continue Blockade halts channel crossings
(30 minutes later)
A blockade at the port of Calais by French fishing boats is back in place, with motorway disruption continuing in Kent, police have said. Ferry operator P&O has cancelled all Dover to Calais crossings due to a blockade by French fishing boats.
The blockade at the port of Calais is also causing motorway disruption in Kent, police have said.
Fishing fleets have been stopping ships entering or leaving Calais, Boulogne, and Dunkirk, in a dispute over fishing quotas, since Tuesday.Fishing fleets have been stopping ships entering or leaving Calais, Boulogne, and Dunkirk, in a dispute over fishing quotas, since Tuesday.
Services to Boulogne and Dunkirk have also been called off until further notice, P&O said.
The blockade at Calais was temporarily lifted overnight but was brought back in early on Wednesday.The blockade at Calais was temporarily lifted overnight but was brought back in early on Wednesday.
Kent Police said part of the M20 was closed to cope with the disruption. A statement from the P&O said: "Neither P&O Ferries nor the three other ferry companies operating out of Dover are sailing to Calais today, nor are there any services to Boulogne or Dunkirk until further notice.
"This is due to the French fishermen reinstating their blockade at 0600 this morning."
Long-term travellers are being advised to make their way to the port and make alternative arrangements, which could include rail travel.
Day trippers are being advised to rebook their journeys.
Fishing catches
Kent Police said part of the M20 was closed again on Wednesday to cope with the disruption.
The force said Operation Stack - where lorries awaiting Channel crossings park on the coastbound M20 - was lifted overnight but then brought back in.
Police advised cross-Channel passengers to contact travel operators for further details.
On Tuesday, a P&O ferry with nearly 400 passengers on board returned to Dover after being prevented from entering Calais.On Tuesday, a P&O ferry with nearly 400 passengers on board returned to Dover after being prevented from entering Calais.
The vessel had sailed from the Kent port before industrial action affecting cross-channel ferry services began.The vessel had sailed from the Kent port before industrial action affecting cross-channel ferry services began.
Fishing catches On Tuesday night, ferry operator P&O said it hoped to clear a backlog of 3,000 passengers by the morning.
And later that day ferry operator P&O said the blockade of Calais had been lifted and it hoped to clear the backlog of 3,000 passengers by the morning. The operator was trying to get "as many ships away as possible overnight" because of expected continued blockades on Wednesday.
But a spokeswoman said the firm was prepared for continued blockades on Wednesday and was trying to get "as many ships away as possible overnight".
Early on Wednesday, a statement from Kent Police said fishermen had again blockaded Calais.
P&O had a backlog of 3,000 passengers on Tuesday night
It said Operation Stack - where lorries awaiting Channel crossings park on the coastbound M20 - was lifted overnight but then brought back in later.
The force has advised cross-Channel passengers to contact travel operators for further details.
French fishing unions have said they are protesting at ever tougher EU-imposed quotas, and demanding the French government take a stand on their behalf or offer more financial assistance.French fishing unions have said they are protesting at ever tougher EU-imposed quotas, and demanding the French government take a stand on their behalf or offer more financial assistance.
The EU has said that limiting the size of fishing catches is the best way to stop stocks being wiped out through over-fishing.The EU has said that limiting the size of fishing catches is the best way to stop stocks being wiped out through over-fishing.
P&O has advised passengers at Dover and Calais to check in as normal. Advertisement
LD Lines has cancelled its 0700 BST Dover Boulogne service, but is set to operate crossings from Dover to Dieppe at 1230 and 2100 BST. Fishing fleets are blockading ports in a dispute over fishing quotas