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Calais chaos: Eurostar, Eurotunnel and ferry services return to normal Calais chaos: Eurostar, Eurotunnel and ferry services return to normal
(35 minutes later)
Cross-channel ferry and train services are returning to normal, after a wildcat strike at Calais by French ferry workers forced the cancellation of services between France and the UK on Tuesday.Cross-channel ferry and train services are returning to normal, after a wildcat strike at Calais by French ferry workers forced the cancellation of services between France and the UK on Tuesday.
By Wednesday morning, Eurostar trains were resuming a “full and normal service”, although customers were advised to allow at least 45 minutes to check in.By Wednesday morning, Eurostar trains were resuming a “full and normal service”, although customers were advised to allow at least 45 minutes to check in.
The Eurostar website confirmed the first train of the day from Paris to London left as scheduled at 7.10am (05.10 GMT). The first train from London to Paris also departed on time.The Eurostar website confirmed the first train of the day from Paris to London left as scheduled at 7.10am (05.10 GMT). The first train from London to Paris also departed on time.
Eurotunnel said its passenger service was running to schedule on both terminals with no waiting time.Eurotunnel said its passenger service was running to schedule on both terminals with no waiting time.
MyFerryLink – whose workers were behind the impromptu industrial action – and P&O Ferries said their crossings to Calais had also returned to their normal timetable.MyFerryLink – whose workers were behind the impromptu industrial action – and P&O Ferries said their crossings to Calais had also returned to their normal timetable.
Eurostar trains from London on Wednesday are fully booked, but P&O said there was space on its crossings from Dover.Eurostar trains from London on Wednesday are fully booked, but P&O said there was space on its crossings from Dover.
Roads in Kent remained congested, with police saying they would continue with Operation Stack, which has turned the M20 motorway into a lorry park.Roads in Kent remained congested, with police saying they would continue with Operation Stack, which has turned the M20 motorway into a lorry park.
Travelling to @Port_of_Dover or @LeShuttle? @Kent_Police continue to manage #OpStack. #M20 closed J8 - J9 coastbound. http://t.co/0CYVamgIMUTravelling to @Port_of_Dover or @LeShuttle? @Kent_Police continue to manage #OpStack. #M20 closed J8 - J9 coastbound. http://t.co/0CYVamgIMU
After all cross-channel ferry services to the port of Calais were cancelled, the ensuing chaos led to long tailbacks on both sides of the Channel. In Calais hundreds of migrants, hoping to reach the UK, attempted to break into stationary cars and lorries as they waited on gridlocked motorways.After all cross-channel ferry services to the port of Calais were cancelled, the ensuing chaos led to long tailbacks on both sides of the Channel. In Calais hundreds of migrants, hoping to reach the UK, attempted to break into stationary cars and lorries as they waited on gridlocked motorways.
Footage from Calais showed migrants running to the open doors of a slow-moving lorry. The UK foreign office advised travellers to keep vehicle doors locked.Footage from Calais showed migrants running to the open doors of a slow-moving lorry. The UK foreign office advised travellers to keep vehicle doors locked.
There are more than 3,000 men, women and children living in squalid conditions in a large camp just outside Calais. Many of them have fled persecution and war in east Africa and the Middle East, and are trying to make their way to the UK.There are more than 3,000 men, women and children living in squalid conditions in a large camp just outside Calais. Many of them have fled persecution and war in east Africa and the Middle East, and are trying to make their way to the UK.
Aid workers said last week that conditions in the camp were worse than ever, with a lack of food and shelter. They said migrants were becoming increasingly desperate and were prepared to take ever greater risks to get the UK.Aid workers said last week that conditions in the camp were worse than ever, with a lack of food and shelter. They said migrants were becoming increasingly desperate and were prepared to take ever greater risks to get the UK.
Tuesday’s chaotic scenes were sparked by unannounced strike action by ferry workers, which began at 3.50am. Employees of the French ferry company MyFerryLink were protesting against plans to sell two of their ferries to rival firm DFDS.Tuesday’s chaotic scenes were sparked by unannounced strike action by ferry workers, which began at 3.50am. Employees of the French ferry company MyFerryLink were protesting against plans to sell two of their ferries to rival firm DFDS.
Eurotunnel suspended its services for safety reasons after French port workers trespassed on its tracks.Eurotunnel suspended its services for safety reasons after French port workers trespassed on its tracks.
Thousands of travellers were trapped, and there were hectic scenes at St Pancras station, as train services were halted. On Tuesday night, Eurostar said fire had damaged parts of the track, but following overnight repair work, services would resume on Wednesday morning. Thousands of travellers were trapped, and there were hectic scenes at St Pancras station in London, as train services were halted. On Tuesday night, Eurostar said fire had damaged parts of the track, but following overnight repair work, services would resume on Wednesday morning.
The chief executive of P&O Ferries, Helen Deeble, said her company was “bearing the brunt” of the chaos at Calais and called on French authorities to do more “to ensure the safety of staff and customers in and around the port of Calais”.The chief executive of P&O Ferries, Helen Deeble, said her company was “bearing the brunt” of the chaos at Calais and called on French authorities to do more “to ensure the safety of staff and customers in and around the port of Calais”.
UK immigration minister James Brokenshire told the BBC: “We have been advised the French authorities are sending further policing to deal with law and order issues, and we will be keeping in close contact with them in the hours ahead.”UK immigration minister James Brokenshire told the BBC: “We have been advised the French authorities are sending further policing to deal with law and order issues, and we will be keeping in close contact with them in the hours ahead.”
Eurostar said travellers affected by Tuesday’s cancellations could exchange or refund their tickets.Eurostar said travellers affected by Tuesday’s cancellations could exchange or refund their tickets.
Three trains stuck outside the tunnel on the English side had to return to St Pancras on Tuesday, while other trains on the French side were taken back to Paris and Brussels. Three trains stuck outside the tunnel on the English side had to return to St Pancras on Tuesday, while other trains on the French side were taken back to Paris and Brussels. Some passengers spent the night at St Pancras after their trains were cancelled.
A Port of Dover spokesman said Operation Stack – where freight traffic is held on the coastbound carriageway of the M20 in Kent – would remain in place on Wednesday morning due to the volume of lorries.A Port of Dover spokesman said Operation Stack – where freight traffic is held on the coastbound carriageway of the M20 in Kent – would remain in place on Wednesday morning due to the volume of lorries.