This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/7272406.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Strike and wind disrupt crossings Strike and wind disrupt crossings
(about 1 hour later)
SeaFrance crossings from Dover to Calais have been suspended for a third day as a strike by ferry officers in France over a pay dispute continues.SeaFrance crossings from Dover to Calais have been suspended for a third day as a strike by ferry officers in France over a pay dispute continues.
P&O Ferries between the Kent port and Calais were also suffering severe delays on Saturday morning because of high winds in the Channel.P&O Ferries between the Kent port and Calais were also suffering severe delays on Saturday morning because of high winds in the Channel.
It has led to traffic backlogs in Kent and the M20 has been closed coastbound to allow lorries to park.It has led to traffic backlogs in Kent and the M20 has been closed coastbound to allow lorries to park.
Phase one of Operation Stack is in place between junctions 11 and 12. Phase two of Operation Stack is now in place between junctions eight and 12.
But Kent Police said it was monitoring the situation and was considering implementing further closures on the motorway if the situation deteriorated. Non-freight traffic is being diverted on to the A20, causing traffic delays and Kent Police advised drivers to avoid the area where possible.
A spokeswoman said Operation Stack was expected to be in place for the rest of the weekend, with storm force winds possible closing the Port of Dover.
Alternative crossings
SeaFrance and P&O both advised customers to check with the ferry companies before travelling.SeaFrance and P&O both advised customers to check with the ferry companies before travelling.
Eurotunnel also advised travellers to allow extra time for journeys to the terminal because of the closure of the M20. A spokeswoman for SeaFrance said it was booking all passengers on to alternative crossings with other operators.
"SeaFrance is working to end the action as soon as possible and contact between the parties is ongoing," she said.
"However the union demands amount to the equivalent of an 25% increase in salary costs over three years, which the company considers excessive and is not in a position to consider."
Eurotunnel advised travellers to allow extra time for journeys to the terminal because of the closure of the M20.
It said it was experiencing extra traffic because of the ferry disruption and travellers were waiting up to 90 minutes at check-in and 90 minutes in the terminal.
In north Kent, the A249 Sheppey Crossing bridge was also closed because of strong winds, with traffic being diverted via the Kingsferry Bridge.In north Kent, the A249 Sheppey Crossing bridge was also closed because of strong winds, with traffic being diverted via the Kingsferry Bridge.