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/8000208.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ferry sailings halt amid protests Port blockades temporarily lifted
(about 2 hours later)
Ferries have been stranded in the Channel and thousands of passengers have endured a night of misery after French fishermen blockaded ports. French fishermen have temporarily lifted their blockade of three French ports, allowing thousands of ferry passengers across the English Channel.
Food and blankets were handed out by the French Red Cross and French Army to UK-bound passengers trying to get home. The dispute had left UK-bound ferries stranded overnight, as the French Red Cross and French Army handed out food and blankets to people awaiting travel.
Stranded passengers in Calais include coach-loads of children who have spent their Easter break on the Continent.
The blockade, which is over EU fishing quotas, is due to resume on Thursday.
Threats of legal action have come from both ferry and rail firms against the protesters fighting EU fishing quotas.Threats of legal action have come from both ferry and rail firms against the protesters fighting EU fishing quotas.
About 3,000 P&O passengers had to be repatriated overnight when the blockades were temporarily lifted. class="" href="/1/hi/england/kent/8000791.stm"> Passengers urged to check ferries
Stranded passengers in Calais included coach-loads of children who had spent their Easter break on the Continent. The blockades began on Tuesday afternoon, preventing ships from entering or leaving Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk.
Other ferries which are fully laden get within 100 yards, then fishing vessels cross their lane and block them Frank O'Niell, Coastguard spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/england/kent/8000791.stm"> Passengers urged to check ferries P&O Ferries said it expected to clear the backlog of waiting traffic by midnight on Wednesday, with 450 freight vehicles queuing on the M20 in Kent, which has been turned into a giant lorry park to cope with the cross-Channel delays.
One group of holidaymakers from Derbyshire who were on an exchange trip were due to sail from Calais on Tuesday night, but were still in Belgium on Wednesday. Approximately 600 lorries are waiting at Calais with 1,200 passengers still stuck at the French port.
Norfolkline passenger Charles Suckling, who was stranded at Dunkirk, said he and his family had food and water but slept in their car. French fishing unions have been protesting at ever tougher EU-imposed quotas, and demanding the French government take a stand on their behalf or offer more financial assistance.
He said the French Red Cross had set up camp beds and sleeping tents for some passengers in the ferry terminal building.
Richard Barclay, of Maidstone, who made his way back by train after his family's ferry trip was cancelled, said about 30 or 40 coach-loads of school groups were lined up at Calais port.
In the UK, parts of the M20 have been turned into a giant lorry park to cope with coast-bound hauliers waiting to cross the Channel.
Gridlock threat
And earlier, Dover coastguard told the BBC that five ferries were stranded between the UK and France.
Coastguard spokesman Frank O'Niell said: "They'll just sit there and wait for some resolution to the problem.
"Other ferries which are fully laden get within 100 yards, then fishing vessels cross their lane and block them. They have to turn round and come back in."
Kent Police said coast-bound lorries have had to park on closed sections of the M20 under Operation Stack, under which the motorway becomes a giant lorry park.
The force said ferries were unable to berth at Calais, Dunkirk or Boulogne, and Operation Stack had to be implemented to avoid gridlock across the county's road network.
A spokeswoman for the force said Stack was brought in only as an emergency measure.
Lorry drivers are being stopped at junction eight for Leeds Castle where they are being stacked on the hard shoulder and lane three.
Under strict enforcement conditions, officers have said any truck driver who makes it to Dover but without the correct ticket for their journey will be sent to the back of the motorway queue.
Hauliers, lorry drivers and motorists have been urged to consider whether their journeys were absolutely necessary and avoid travelling over the next 24 hours.
People living in the Ashford and Maidstone areas have been told to consider alternatives to avoid being caught up in M20 congestion.
All tourists are advised to contact ferry operators before travelling.
French fishing unions have said they are protesting at ever tougher EU-imposed quotas, and demanding the French government take a stand on their behalf or offer more financial assistance.
Legal actionLegal action
On Wednesday, French ministers refused protesters' demands for increased cod quotas, but said they might offer extra financial support.On Wednesday, French ministers refused protesters' demands for increased cod quotas, but said they might offer extra financial support.
P&O has already said it is preparing a compensation case against the fishermen, and has estimated the cost to its business at about £1m a day.P&O has already said it is preparing a compensation case against the fishermen, and has estimated the cost to its business at about £1m a day.
The French general workers' union CFDT has said members will blockade Eurostar and Eurotunnel services at the Channel Tunnel on Thursday if port protests are still in place.The French general workers' union CFDT has said members will blockade Eurostar and Eurotunnel services at the Channel Tunnel on Thursday if port protests are still in place.
Eurotunnel has said it will seek redress through the courts, if there was a blockade.Eurotunnel has said it will seek redress through the courts, if there was a blockade.
Information from P&O said that neither P&O Ferries nor the three other ferry companies operating out of Dover were sailing to Calais on Wednesday, nor were there any services to Boulogne or Dunkirk until further notice.
Long-term travellers were advised to make their way to the port and make alternative arrangements, which could include rail travel.
Day trippers were advised to rebook their journeys.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The striking French fishermen's storyThe striking French fishermen's story
Have you been caught up in the blockades? Has your trip been cancelled? Are you a truck driver trying to get to or from your destination?Have you been caught up in the blockades? Has your trip been cancelled? Are you a truck driver trying to get to or from your destination?
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions