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Calais crisis: UK Eurotunnel passengers face delays Calais crisis: Manston Airport to be Operation Stack lorry park
(about 2 hours later)
The Channel Tunnel has reopened after an "unplanned" inspection, but UK passengers and lorries still face four-hour delays, the company says. A former airport in Kent is to be used as an emergency lorry park as cross-Channel disruption continues, the BBC has learned.
The latest problems to affect crossings between Kent and northern France come after 100 extra security guards were deployed to tackle the migrant crisis in Calais. The government-level plan will see Manston Airport used to hold freight.
Currently, lorries bound for Dover park are "stacked" on a closed section of the M20 while other traffic is diverted on to surrounding Kent roads.
Cross-Channel rail and ferry services have been disrupted for weeks by migrant activity and French strikes.
Earlier, an "unplanned" inspection closed the Channel Tunnel, but UK passengers and lorries still face three-hour delays, Eurotunnel said.
The latest problems to affect crossings between Kent and northern France came after 100 extra security guards were deployed to tackle the migrant crisis in Calais.
Migrants made some 600 attempts to enter the Channel Tunnel overnight.Migrants made some 600 attempts to enter the Channel Tunnel overnight.
About 180 were caught inside the Calais site, with 20 arrested, police said.About 180 were caught inside the Calais site, with 20 arrested, police said.
A police source also said 400 attempts to break through the perimeter fence were thwarted.A police source also said 400 attempts to break through the perimeter fence were thwarted.
A Eurotunnel spokeswoman said that while services managed to run well overnight, it had to inspect an unidentified item in the tunnel. It has not yet indicated what that item was, but has said both of its tunnels under the Channel have reopened.A Eurotunnel spokeswoman said that while services managed to run well overnight, it had to inspect an unidentified item in the tunnel. It has not yet indicated what that item was, but has said both of its tunnels under the Channel have reopened.
This inspection caused disruption to passenger and freight services, with those crossing from France into the UK still facing delays of two hours.This inspection caused disruption to passenger and freight services, with those crossing from France into the UK still facing delays of two hours.
The European Commission has announced that there will be a conference call on Tuesday afternoon between EU, French government and UK government officials regarding the situation in Calais. The European Commission also announced there would be a conference call on Tuesday afternoon between EU, French government and UK government officials regarding the situation in Calais.
Meanwhile, British transport bosses have said confidence in rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel could be seriously dented by the unrelenting disruption.Meanwhile, British transport bosses have said confidence in rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel could be seriously dented by the unrelenting disruption.
They say the nightly incursions by migrants and blockades by striking ferry staff in northern France have led to UK haulage firms incurring huge losses over the summer.They say the nightly incursions by migrants and blockades by striking ferry staff in northern France have led to UK haulage firms incurring huge losses over the summer.
Chris MacRae, the Freight Transport Association's head of rail freight policy, said: "What is likely to happen as a consequence is that confidence in rail freight as a viable alternative to road will be undermined."Chris MacRae, the Freight Transport Association's head of rail freight policy, said: "What is likely to happen as a consequence is that confidence in rail freight as a viable alternative to road will be undermined."
He also said the long-term effect of the delays to international rail freight traffic could be "devastating".He also said the long-term effect of the delays to international rail freight traffic could be "devastating".
Prime Minister David Cameron is facing calls by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) to break his holiday and witness its impact "first-hand".Prime Minister David Cameron is facing calls by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) to break his holiday and witness its impact "first-hand".
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: "Without witnessing the mayhem at Calais first-hand, neither the prime minister nor his advisers can fully grasp the severity of the situation."RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: "Without witnessing the mayhem at Calais first-hand, neither the prime minister nor his advisers can fully grasp the severity of the situation."
Shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer will visit the French port to discuss the situation with Eurotunnel officials and the RHA.Shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer will visit the French port to discuss the situation with Eurotunnel officials and the RHA.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said the UK has "got a grip" on the migrant crisis in Calais, with previously arranged fencing work at Calais "proceeding on schedule".Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said the UK has "got a grip" on the migrant crisis in Calais, with previously arranged fencing work at Calais "proceeding on schedule".
He also said UK Border Force and French police now had a presence in the Eurotunnel control room at Coquelles. Additional facilities to support Operation Stack lorry-holding operations in Kent have been procured, ahead of it beginning again later this week, he added. He also said UK Border Force and French police now had a presence in the Eurotunnel control room at Coquelles.
This sees the M20 closed, to house lorries bound for Dover, while other traffic is diverted on other roads to get around Kent.
A former government adviser, Nick Pearce, has said Britain should offer to take in some refugees in Calais in a bid to resolve the crisis. He has called for United Nations officials to be brought in to register migrants massed at the French port.A former government adviser, Nick Pearce, has said Britain should offer to take in some refugees in Calais in a bid to resolve the crisis. He has called for United Nations officials to be brought in to register migrants massed at the French port.
On Monday, it was also announced that landlords in England would be expected to evict tenants who lost the right to remain in the UK, under new measures to clamp down on illegal immigration.On Monday, it was also announced that landlords in England would be expected to evict tenants who lost the right to remain in the UK, under new measures to clamp down on illegal immigration.
There have been thousands of attempts by migrants heading for the UK to access the Eurotunnel terminal in recent weeks. Nine people have died trying to access the tunnel since the start of June.There have been thousands of attempts by migrants heading for the UK to access the Eurotunnel terminal in recent weeks. Nine people have died trying to access the tunnel since the start of June.