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Cross-channel ferries cancelled as striking port workers close Calais again Eurostar and tunnel services suspended as striking workers set fire to Calais track
(about 3 hours later)
Ferry services between Dover and Calais remained suspended as striking ferry workers continued their blockade of the northern French port. Eurostar and Eurotunnel services have been suspended after striking ferry workers set fire to the track in Calais.
Eurotunnel services were also disrupted on Tuesday morning, with delays of about an hour from the UK, although there was no repeat of the chaos caused by last week’s industrial action, during which Eurostar and Eurotunnel were forced to cancel services. Kent police said Calais was expected to remain closed until Thursday. Ferry services between Dover and Calais also remained suspended on Tuesday as the ferry workers continued their blockade of the northern French port.
The M20 remained closed coastbound between junctions 8 and 9 as part of Operation Stack, the force’s attempt to avoid causing gridlock across the county’s road network. Eurotunnel tweeted: “Due to French Port workers present on the French Terminal tracks, our service is currently suspended. Please accept our apologises [sic].”
A police spokesman said: “This allows backed-up freight traffic to park on the coastbound carriageway of the M20. It is important to note that as a result of a build-up of heavy freight traffic on the M20, A20 and roads in and around Dover, junction 13 of the M20 is also currently closed in the direction of the Port of Dover. All non-freight traffic will need to follow diversions or seek alternative routes.” Eurostar tweeted: “Channel tunnel access is currently suspended due to fire on the tracks in Calais caused by demonstrators. Further updates to follow shortly.”
There was chaos when protesters in Calais broke into the Channel tunnel last week, causing long tailbacks at both ends. In Calais hundreds of migrants attempted to break into stationary cars and lorries that were waiting on gridlocked motorways.
Due to French Port workers present on the French Terminal tracks, our service is currently suspended. Please accept our apologises. ^SL
Channel tunnel access is currently suspended due to fire on the tracks in Calais caused by demonstrators. Further updates to follow shortly.
Kent police said the port at Calais was expected to remain closed until Thursday.
The M20 remained closed coastbound between junctions eight and nine as part of Operation Stack, the force’s attempt to avoid causing gridlock across the county’s road network.
A police spokesman said: “This allows backed-up freight traffic to park on the coastbound carriageway of the M20. It is important to note that as a result of a build-up of heavy freight traffic on the M20, A20 and roads in and around Dover, junction 13 of the M20 is also currently closed in the direction of the port of Dover. All non-freight traffic will need to follow diversions or seek alternative routes.”
Lorry drivers at the front of the queue were being given a ticket to continue their journey to the continent.Lorry drivers at the front of the queue were being given a ticket to continue their journey to the continent.
“Those who use the diversions for non-freight traffic in an attempt to get closer to the front, and who do not have a ticket, will be sent to the back of the Op Stack queue,” the spokesman said. “Any freight drivers found to be parking illegally or dangerously will be dealt with robustly.”
Kent police warned motorists to take precautions during the heatwave hitting the UK, including keeping their vehicles ventilated to avoid drowsiness and drinking plenty of cold fluids.Kent police warned motorists to take precautions during the heatwave hitting the UK, including keeping their vehicles ventilated to avoid drowsiness and drinking plenty of cold fluids.
In a statement, P&O Ferries, which has cancelled all services in and out of Calais, pointed the finger of blame at Eurotunnel and the British and French governments for the disruption.
P&O’s chief executive, Helen Deeble, said: “Through no fault of their own, our passengers are caught in the middle of an industrial relations battle that has been caused by Eurotunnel, who sold their ships to a rival ferry company without securing the jobs of the workers involved. This has left thousands of holidaymakers and lorry drivers stranded without adequate facilities – even though our employees at the port have done their level best to keep them supplied with food and water.
“Let me be clear: the buck stops with the French government. They have shown that they can move swiftly to stop any disruption at the tunnel. But they have effectively abandoned any attempt to maintain security at the port of Calais, which makes a nonsense of European co-operation.
“And when is the British government going to stand up to ensure that we can all get to mainland Europe safely and securely? Every day that the disruption lasts costs UK plc millions of pounds. P&O Ferries alone employs thousands of people on both sides of the Channel and this damaging and dangerous industrial action is now putting those jobs at risk.”
Crossings to Dunkirk and other French ports continued as normal.Crossings to Dunkirk and other French ports continued as normal.
Ferry operator P&O said none of its vessels would be sailing in or out of Calais and advised passengers to rebook for another date.
Calais Port closed due to Industrial Action out of our control Currently no ships movements in Port 1/2
2/2 [CALAIS] We advise that all non-essential travel booked for today should be rebooked for a later date, by calling us on 01304 448877
MyFerryLink said all of its Calais crossings were cancelled.It initially advised car passengers to check in as normal in order to be transferred to the Eurotunnel service but later on Tuesday said this was no longer possible.
Important: Access to Calais now impossible so unable to transfer. Customers advised to seek alternative services for travel to UK.
DFDS said there would be no Calais ferry services, but it would be adding extra crossings between Dover and Dunkirk for affected travellers.
The strike action, which began on Monday afternoon, was a response to hundreds of workers being told they could lose their jobs after the competition authority ruled Eurotunnel group should sell MyFerryLink. A proposed takeover by DFDS would protect only about half of the 600 employees.The strike action, which began on Monday afternoon, was a response to hundreds of workers being told they could lose their jobs after the competition authority ruled Eurotunnel group should sell MyFerryLink. A proposed takeover by DFDS would protect only about half of the 600 employees.