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Channel tunnel delays after points failure and migrants storm Calais Channel tunnel delays after points failure and migrants storm Calais
(about 3 hours later)
A points failure in the Channel tunnel has delayed services by up to 90 minutes, adding to disruption caused after migrants tried to storm the Calais terminal. Calls to address the crisis in Calais have been renewed after about 150 migrants tried to storm the Channel tunnel terminal in northern France in a bid to board UK-bound freight trains.
Le Shuttle services had been delayed earlier on Saturday after about 150 migrants tried to storm the terminal in Calais overnight. Services were delayed and cancelled after migrants accessed restricted areas on the French side overnight, Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel said. The problem was compounded when a points failure in the tunnel delayed services by up to two hours.
Compounding the chaos for travellers Le Shuttle services from Folkestone were running 90 minutes behind schedule due to the points failures, with those from Calais subject to similar delays. A spokesman for Eurotunnel said there were huge numbers of migrants in and around the tunnel area on Friday night and called for immediate action from the authorities.
The technical problem has now been resolved, Eurotunnel tweeted: Le Shuttle services from Folkestone were running 90 minutes behind schedule due to the points failures, with those from Calais subject to similar delays.
The intrusion caused the return of queues on the M20 in Kent for lorry drivers trying to cross the Channel after police reintroduced Operation Stack, which was later lifted.
The technical problem in the tunnel has now been resolved & we are working hard to reform our timetable. Thank you for your patience. ^STThe technical problem in the tunnel has now been resolved & we are working hard to reform our timetable. Thank you for your patience. ^ST
Eurostar passenger trains have also been delayed.
Eurotunnel said services were delayed and cancelled after migrants attempted to access restricted areas on the French side overnight. The incident caused a return of queues on the M20 in Kent for lorry drivers trying to cross the Channel after Kent police reintroduced Operation Stack.
Operation Stack meant the A20 entrance for Le Shuttle services was closed. Drivers are advised to rejoin the M20 and exit at junction 11a.
There have been renewed calls for authorities to act to solve the worsening Calais migrant crisis, which is costing the UK economy millions of pounds.There have been renewed calls for authorities to act to solve the worsening Calais migrant crisis, which is costing the UK economy millions of pounds.
The Fresh Produce Consortium estimates that £10m of fresh fruit and vegetables have been thrown away since the start of the year as a result of the problems.The Fresh Produce Consortium estimates that £10m of fresh fruit and vegetables have been thrown away since the start of the year as a result of the problems.
Kate Gibbs, of the Road Haulage Association, said the economic impact of the repeated disruptions in Calais was horrendous. Dan Cook, operations director of Kent-based Europa Worldwide Group said “marauding mobs” were effectively halting British trade to the continent. “We have had vehicles on the motorway in broad daylight being surrounded by marauding mobs racing around, opening doors, cutting trailers, climbing into the back,” he said.
“This situation cannot continue because it’s putting hauliers at risk, in terms of their lives and their livelihoods. Right now, we need a short-term fix, but we have also got to work on a long-term solution,” she said. As well as damage to his company’s equipment, there was also theft and damage to his customers’ products, Cook said. “And then there’s the sheer intimidation to drivers. It’s a very, very intimidating situation: you’re a sitting target, with people running around trying to climb on.
“The fundamental problem is that there is no sign of any active policing to stop this happening in Calais. There is no security from the army, police or whoever to protect what is the gateway to trade.”
Cook said this week’s disruption has cost his firm about £100,000: “For a medium-sized company like ours, that’s unsustainable.”
Kate Gibbs, of the Road Haulage Association, said the economic impact of the repeated disruptions in Calais was horrendous. “This situation cannot continue because it’s putting hauliers at risk, in terms of their lives and their livelihoods. Right now, we need a short-term fix, but we have also got to work on a long-term solution,” she said.
“If it means calling in the French military to support the police, then so be it.”“If it means calling in the French military to support the police, then so be it.”
A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “Eurotunnel reiterates its call to the authorities to provide a solution to the migrant crisis and restore order to the Calais region.”A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “Eurotunnel reiterates its call to the authorities to provide a solution to the migrant crisis and restore order to the Calais region.”
The Port of Dover, which faced heavy disruption this week due to striking ferry workers in France, said it remained “open for business”. The Port of Dover, which faced heavy disruption this week due to striking ferry workers in France, said it remained open for business.
A port spokesman said P&O Ferries was operating a full Dover-Calais service, while DFDS Seaways was running full services to Dunkirk.
The return of Operation Stack – where freight traffic is queued on sections of the M20 – came hours after police lifted all phases of it.
Kent police tweeted: “Phase 2 of #OpStack remains in place. #M20 closed coast bound 8 to 9. Check with operator if heading to Channel tunnel as services disrupted.”
The migrant crisis in Calais has been escalating in recent weeks, with about 3,000 people who have been displaced from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan setting up camp near the port.The migrant crisis in Calais has been escalating in recent weeks, with about 3,000 people who have been displaced from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan setting up camp near the port.
Migrants have been taking advantage of slow-moving and queuing traffic by trying to board UK-bound vehicles, forcing some drivers to take long detours to skip Calais altogether.Migrants have been taking advantage of slow-moving and queuing traffic by trying to board UK-bound vehicles, forcing some drivers to take long detours to skip Calais altogether.
The home secretary, Theresa May, and her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve, this week agreed to increase the joint intervention fund to improve security around the port and the Channel Tunnel. Dover Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke said the problems underlined the need to consider expanding the port at Dunkirk, 45 miles from Calais.
The home secretary, Theresa May, and her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve, this week agreed to increase the joint intervention fund to improve security around the port and the Channel tunnel.
French aid workers have reported a “catastrophic” situation, with predictions that 2,000 more migrants could arrive over the summer at the camp, dubbed Jungle II.French aid workers have reported a “catastrophic” situation, with predictions that 2,000 more migrants could arrive over the summer at the camp, dubbed Jungle II.
Volunteers from l’Auberge des Migrants said up to 50 new migrants a day were arriving at the camp, and there were not enough tents, blankets or food.Volunteers from l’Auberge des Migrants said up to 50 new migrants a day were arriving at the camp, and there were not enough tents, blankets or food.
British travellers have been advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to keep vehicle doors locked in traffic and when unattended in Calais.British travellers have been advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to keep vehicle doors locked in traffic and when unattended in Calais.