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M20 gridlock due to Calais strike M20 gridlock due to Calais strike
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of lorry drivers are stranded in Kent after industrial action in France closed the Port of Dover. Industrial action in France which halted ferry sailings from Dover and caused chaos on Kent's roads has ended.
No ferries have been sailing from Dover to Calais after a strike by workers led to the French port's closure. The Port of Calais confirmed to Dover Harbour Board on Wednesday lunchtime that the port was returning to normal.
Three berths have reopened but part of the coast-bound carriageway of the M20, leading to Dover, remains closed. Kent Police said officers would start to move more than 1,000 lorries parked on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20 as soon as possible.
Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday afternoon, allowing lorries to park on the M20, which is currently closed between junctions eight and 12. The M20 was closed between junctions eight and 12, after Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday afternoon.
Police have provided food, water and toilet facilities for the drivers, many of whom were stranded overnight. Miles of traffic has built up on the motorway, with some drivers being forced to spend the night in their vehicles.
'12-hour backlog' This huge and costly inconvenience has been going on for far too long and it's just not acceptable MEP Richard Ashworth
Police, who have been providing food, water and toilet facilities for those stranded, said it might take eight to 12 hours to clear the backlog.
Insp Roy Kingston said some lorry drivers had been able to leave Dover via a limited service to Dunkirk.Insp Roy Kingston said some lorry drivers had been able to leave Dover via a limited service to Dunkirk.
"But a large number have got freight booked through the Calais port... and they're not going anywhere."But a large number have got freight booked through the Calais port... and they're not going anywhere.
"It is a situation that is outside of our control," he said."It is a situation that is outside of our control," he said.
He told BBC Radio Kent that no time had been given for the strike to end. Keith Southey, of Dover Harbour Board, said the situation had been made worse because of the increased amount of freight traffic leading up to Christmas.
Keith Southey, of Dover Harbour Board, said there were more than 1,000 lorries stuck on the M20, which could take up to 12 hours to clear once the strike was over.
Worker sacked
He said the situation had been made worse because of the increased amount of freight traffic leading up to Christmas.
Other motorists using the M20 coast-bound are being diverted at junction eight onto the A20 through Lenham.Other motorists using the M20 coast-bound are being diverted at junction eight onto the A20 through Lenham.
However, some have told the BBC that they have seen foreign lorry drivers trying to beat the traffic queues on the M20 by following the diversions, snarling up the smaller road.However, some have told the BBC that they have seen foreign lorry drivers trying to beat the traffic queues on the M20 by following the diversions, snarling up the smaller road.
The port of Calais, which has been closed since Tuesday afternoon, is being blockaded by members of the Calais Chamber of Commerce, who are striking over the dismissal of a cleaner. 'Crazy situation'
The port of Calais was blockaded by members of the Calais Chamber of Commerce, who were striking over the dismissal of a cleaner.
"It is an absolutely crazy situation," said Brian Rees, spokesman for ferry operator P&O.
"We are a £1m-a-day business and we have lost virtually a day's business.
"But look what it has done around the county - even one of the hospitals was on earlier saying they can't get people to appointments."
The Freight Transport Association said there had been at least 20 strikes and blockades in Calais over the last 10 years.
It estimated the cost of the current disruption at £2m.
Kent MEP Richard Ashworth said: "This huge and costly inconvenience has been going on for far too long and it's just not acceptable.
"I have asked the European Commission for assistance in finding a solution because our free passage into and out of the EU is being severely hampered."