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Calais fire blockades as strike disrupts Channel crossings Calais fire blockades as strike disrupts Channel crossings
(35 minutes later)
The Port of Calais is closed following blockades by striking French workers, causing severe disruption in Kent.The Port of Calais is closed following blockades by striking French workers, causing severe disruption in Kent.
Ferries are stuck at Dover and part of the M20 has shut as lorries wait to cross the Channel. Ferries are stuck at Dover and part of the M20 has been closed as lorries wait to cross the Channel.
The action by MyFerryLink workers has also caused the suspension of Eurotunnel services after protesters managed to get on to the tracks. The action by MyFerryLink workers has also caused Eurostar services to be suspended for the day, after protesters got on to the tracks.
Migrant activity is reported to have increased, with people attempting to board Kent-bound lorries in France.Migrant activity is reported to have increased, with people attempting to board Kent-bound lorries in France.
Earlier, migrants also tried to break into the French Eurotunnel terminal and Calais port. The Foreign Office has warned travellers to keep their car doors locked in slow moving traffic heading back to the UK.
BBC South East reporter Simon Jones said MyFerryLink vessels were preventing other ships at Calais from moving.
'Fears for jobs''Fears for jobs'
P&O Ferries said the MyFerryLink workers feared for their jobs after their ships were sold by Eurotunnel to DFDS at short notice.P&O Ferries said the MyFerryLink workers feared for their jobs after their ships were sold by Eurotunnel to DFDS at short notice.
Chief executive of P&O Ferries, Helen Deeble, said the sale had taken place with neither party appearing to engage constructively with French staff. P&O Chief Executive Helen Deeble said the sale had taken place with neither party appearing to engage constructively with French staff.
She also said P&O was bearing the brunt of the disruption and called on the French authorities to ensure free movement across EU borders and safety around Calais. She also said her company was bearing the brunt of the disruption.
DFDS said it had received confirmation on Monday that Eurotunnel had accepted its offer for the ferries Rodin and Berlioz. DFDS said it had received confirmation on Monday that Eurotunnel had accepted its offer to buy two ferries.
Carsten Jensen, senior vice president at DFDS Seaways, said: "I understand that this is a difficult time for MyFerryLink employees but this is not a good situation for anyone and we hope this action will end swiftly." Carsten Jensen, senior vice-president at DFDS Seaways, said: "I understand that this is a difficult time for MyFerryLink employees but this is not a good situation for anyone and we hope this action will end swiftly."
Eurotunnel has not yet responded to the criticism by P&O.Eurotunnel has not yet responded to the criticism by P&O.
MyFerryLink has said its operations will end after 2 July and all bookings after that date will be refunded. The ferry operator has not yet commented on Tuesday's strike action.
In Kent, cross-Channel freight traffic waiting to cross Dover has built up and Operation Stack has been brought in to close part of the M20 so lorries can queue on the motorway.In Kent, cross-Channel freight traffic waiting to cross Dover has built up and Operation Stack has been brought in to close part of the M20 so lorries can queue on the motorway.
Dover Harbour Board said the industrial action closed the Port of Calais in the early hours and all ferries to and from Dover were affected, apart from DFDS Seaways which was still running services to Dunkirk. Despite the strike being due to end at 20:00 local time (19:00 BST), Operation Stack will continue throughout the night and into the morning.
Dover Harbour Board said the industrial action closed the Port of Calais in the early hours and all ferries to and from Dover were affected, apart from DFDS Seaways services to Dunkirk.
Kent Police has said extra Dunkirk crossings have been arranged.Kent Police has said extra Dunkirk crossings have been arranged.
Simon Jones said the estimated waiting time to get on a ferry at Dunkirk heading to Dover was currently six hours. Lorry driver Chris Cary, from Rochester, said he tried to cross the Channel back to Kent early on Tuesday but then decided to attempt getting on a train instead.
A Eurotunnel spokesman said the strike was expected to last until 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) but the rail operator was trying to run as many trains as possible. But he said he found the road on fire as he approached the terminal with about 500-600 trucks waiting to cross.
He said port workers had blockaded the entrance to the Eurotunnel site and in consequence there had been motorway disruption and increased migrant activity, with people trying to climb on to vehicles as well as break-in attempts.
The partial blockade of the Coquelles terminal has since been removed and Eurotunnel is working to clear the traffic backlog.
Lorry driver Chris Cary, from Rochester, said he tried to cross the Channel back to Kent in the early hours but then decided to attempt getting on a train instead.
But he said he found the road on fire as he approached the terminal with about 500-600 trucks waiting to cross and police and firefighters at the scene.
"I didn't cancel my booking this morning for P&O, so I've literally just come back to the port and I'm now sitting back on the lane where I was at 03:10 this morning waiting for a boat," he said."I didn't cancel my booking this morning for P&O, so I've literally just come back to the port and I'm now sitting back on the lane where I was at 03:10 this morning waiting for a boat," he said.
Freight Transport Association's (FTA) international manager, Donald Armour, said blockades had brought the main motorway near Calais to a halt, adding it cost about £50 an hour to have a lorry stuck in traffic which could be a lot of money for a firm with half a dozen lorries. Freight Transport Association's (FTA) international manager, Donald Armour, said blockades had brought the main motorway near Calais to a halt.
He said the FTA was very worried about someone getting hurt with the worsening migrant situation there.He said the FTA was very worried about someone getting hurt with the worsening migrant situation there.
"There is a lot of fighting between the migrants who all want to be on the best part of the road to get on to the lorries," he said."There is a lot of fighting between the migrants who all want to be on the best part of the road to get on to the lorries," he said.
"We haven't had a fatality but it's not good. The situation is definitely worse than it has ever been.""We haven't had a fatality but it's not good. The situation is definitely worse than it has ever been."
Truckers have been being advised not to stop within about 60 miles (97km) of Calais, to stick with other drivers and keep padlocks on their vehicles.Truckers have been being advised not to stop within about 60 miles (97km) of Calais, to stick with other drivers and keep padlocks on their vehicles.
Dover port has urged people travelling with DFDS Seaways, P&O and MyFerryLink to check with their operators before travelling.Dover port has urged people travelling with DFDS Seaways, P&O and MyFerryLink to check with their operators before travelling.
But MyFerryLink tweeted: "Port of Dover severely congested. Please do not try to check in." MyFerryLink has said its operations will end after 2 July and all bookings after that date will be refunded. The ferry operator has not yet commented on Tuesday's strike action.
Are you in Calais? Have you been affected by the disruption? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Calais? Have you been affected by the disruption? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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