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| Ferry delay warning over flotilla | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Warnings of delays to cross-Channel ferries have come from coastguards after a flotilla of French trawlers staged a "go-slow" protest at sea. | |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said 31 trawlers were moving up a shipping lane, side by side in a line. | |
| The flotilla of trawlers has since turned back to France. | |
| It follows blockades of French ports by protesters fighting EU fishing quotas this week. The protests affected ferries, roads and businesses in Kent. | It follows blockades of French ports by protesters fighting EU fishing quotas this week. The protests affected ferries, roads and businesses in Kent. |
| About 400 vessels use the Dover strait each day. | |
| An MCA spokesman said the trawlers were in the north east shipping lane on the French side on Friday morning. | |
| He said navigational warnings were being issued to all passenger and cargo shipping. | |
| Compensation demand | |
| Thousands of holidaymakers and hauliers had faced disruption over two days this week after French fisherman blockaded the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne. | |
| The action ended on Thursday, allowing cross-Channel ferry services to return to normal, after fishermen reportedly agreed to consider a fresh offer from French authorities. | |
| Hundreds of lorry drivers had been queuing on the M20 in Operation Stack - put in place by Kent Police to reduce traffic congestion close to Dover. | |
| Earlier, Kent County Council revealed it had launched a campaign to end disruption to Channel crossings caused by strikes in France. | |
| Council leader Paul Carter said: "It is time to say enough is enough." | Council leader Paul Carter said: "It is time to say enough is enough." |
| The campaign, which is backed by ferry operators, is aiming to put pressure on the government to claim compensation from the French authorities. | The campaign, which is backed by ferry operators, is aiming to put pressure on the government to claim compensation from the French authorities. |
| During the dispute, the French government rejected demands to renegotiate fishing quotas in the Channel, but the fisheries minister offered 4m euros in aid to the fishermen. | During the dispute, the French government rejected demands to renegotiate fishing quotas in the Channel, but the fisheries minister offered 4m euros in aid to the fishermen. |
| The blockades led to Operation Stack being implemented in Kent | |
| Mr Carter said: "When you consider the misery caused to tens of thousands of Kent people affected by the strikes and the impact on their businesses and travel plans, it is time to say enough is enough and show that we cannot and will not put up with these situations any longer. | Mr Carter said: "When you consider the misery caused to tens of thousands of Kent people affected by the strikes and the impact on their businesses and travel plans, it is time to say enough is enough and show that we cannot and will not put up with these situations any longer. |
| "We are seeking urgent legal advice to establish whether France has broken the law by allowing the strikes to stop the free movement of people and goods. | "We are seeking urgent legal advice to establish whether France has broken the law by allowing the strikes to stop the free movement of people and goods. |
| "If this is the case we will press the government to take this up with the French authorities and press for compensation." | "If this is the case we will press the government to take this up with the French authorities and press for compensation." |
| He also said the protests fuelled the perception that Kent was frequently closed for business, resulting in the potential loss of millions of pounds in future inward investment. | He also said the protests fuelled the perception that Kent was frequently closed for business, resulting in the potential loss of millions of pounds in future inward investment. |