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M20 gridlock due to Calais strike | M20 gridlock due to Calais strike |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Industrial action in France which halted ferry sailings from Dover and caused chaos on Kent's roads has ended. | |
The Port of Calais confirmed to Dover Harbour Board on Wednesday lunchtime that the port was returning to normal. | |
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. | |
The M20 was closed between junctions eight and 12, after Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday afternoon. | |
Miles of traffic has built up on the motorway, with some drivers being forced to spend the night in their vehicles. | |
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. |
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. | |
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. |
'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." |