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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| M20 gridlock due to Calais strike | M20 gridlock due to Calais strike |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Industrial action in France which halted ferry sailings from Dover and caused chaos on Kent's roads has ended. | 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. | The Port of Calais confirmed to Dover Harbour Board on Wednesday lunchtime that the port was returning to normal. |
| More than 1,000 lorries were parked on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20, and Kent Police said drivers should continue to avoid the area. | More than 1,000 lorries were parked on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20, and Kent Police said drivers should continue to avoid the area. |
| The M20 was closed between junctions eight and 12, after Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday afternoon. | The M20 was closed between junctions eight and 12, after Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday afternoon. |
| Miles of traffic built up on the motorway, with some drivers being forced to spend Tuesday night in their vehicles. | Miles of traffic built up on the motorway, with some drivers being forced to spend Tuesday 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 | 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 the backlog would not be cleared until the early hours. | |
| 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. | 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 were being diverted at junction eight onto the A20 through Lenham. | Other motorists using the M20 coast-bound were being diverted at junction eight onto the A20 through Lenham. |
| Police have been providing food and water for those stranded | |
| However, some told the BBC that they saw foreign lorry drivers trying to beat the traffic queues on the M20 by following the diversions, snarling up the smaller road. | However, some told the BBC that they saw foreign lorry drivers trying to beat the traffic queues on the M20 by following the diversions, snarling up the smaller road. |
| 'Crazy situation' | '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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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." |