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/uk/8001311.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Channel blockades enter third day | Channel blockades enter third day |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thousands of holidaymakers and hauliers trying to cross the Channel are facing a third day of disruption because of industrial action by French fishermen. | Thousands of holidaymakers and hauliers trying to cross the Channel are facing a third day of disruption because of industrial action by French fishermen. |
| Trawlers have blocked access to the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne in protest at EU fishing quotas. | Trawlers have blocked access to the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne in protest at EU fishing quotas. |
| The blockade was lifted overnight to allow the backlog of passengers to clear from Calais, but was reimposed in the morning. | |
| People are being advised to make alternative travel arrangements. | People are being advised to make alternative travel arrangements. |
| Hundreds of lorry drivers have been queuing on the M20 in Operation Stack - put in place by Kent Police to reduce traffic congestion close to Dover. | Hundreds of lorry drivers have been queuing on the M20 in Operation Stack - put in place by Kent Police to reduce traffic congestion close to Dover. |
| Jo Tanner, from the Freight Transport Association, said the blockade had come at the worst possible time. | Jo Tanner, from the Freight Transport Association, said the blockade had come at the worst possible time. |
| Our priority is to get the blockade permanently lifted, and do what we can for passengers affected P&O Ferries | Our priority is to get the blockade permanently lifted, and do what we can for passengers affected P&O Ferries |
| "It is costing £40 per hour per HGV and if you look at Operation Stack and the number of trucks it soon adds up," she said. | "It is costing £40 per hour per HGV and if you look at Operation Stack and the number of trucks it soon adds up," she said. |
| "Particularly when we have an industry that's already struggling thanks to the recession, thanks to successive fuel duty increases, this is absolutely the last thing that we need." | "Particularly when we have an industry that's already struggling thanks to the recession, thanks to successive fuel duty increases, this is absolutely the last thing that we need." |
| Mark Darlow, 41, an exhibition contractor from Retford in Nottinghamshire, was due to sail with his father, Peter, from Dover to Calais on Wednesday. | Mark Darlow, 41, an exhibition contractor from Retford in Nottinghamshire, was due to sail with his father, Peter, from Dover to Calais on Wednesday. |
| "This is having a huge effect on businesses not just in the UK but the whole of Europe, this is one of the busiest freight terminals worldwide," he said. | "This is having a huge effect on businesses not just in the UK but the whole of Europe, this is one of the busiest freight terminals worldwide," he said. |
| More cancellations | More cancellations |
| The blockades began on Tuesday afternoon, preventing ships from entering or leaving Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. | The blockades began on Tuesday afternoon, preventing ships from entering or leaving Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. |
| One French union is reportedly trying to extend the blockade to Eurotunnel, but a spokesman for the tunnel operator said the French police would not allow that to happen. | One French union is reportedly trying to extend the blockade to Eurotunnel, but a spokesman for the tunnel operator said the French police would not allow that to happen. |
| P&O Ferries, one of the biggest Dover-Calais operators, said it had cleared all tourist traffic by 0200 BST but warned there would be another round of cancellations. | P&O Ferries, one of the biggest Dover-Calais operators, said it had cleared all tourist traffic by 0200 BST but warned there would be another round of cancellations. |
| Passengers urged to check ferries | Passengers urged to check ferries |
| "We expect the blockade to be back today. Our priority is to get the blockade permanently lifted, and do what we can for passengers affected," a spokeswoman said. | "We expect the blockade to be back today. Our priority is to get the blockade permanently lifted, and do what we can for passengers affected," a spokeswoman said. |
| The firm is advising those on day trips to make alternative travel arrangements and those with other tickets to travel only if absolutely necessary. | The firm is advising those on day trips to make alternative travel arrangements and those with other tickets to travel only if absolutely necessary. |
| Ferry firm SeaFrance has also warned passengers its services were likely to be suspended. | Ferry firm SeaFrance has also warned passengers its services were likely to be suspended. |
| Meanwhile, LD Lines said its 0700 BST and 1230 BST sailings from Dover to Boulogne had been cancelled, but a service would leave Dover at 1230 BST for Dieppe. | Meanwhile, LD Lines said its 0700 BST and 1230 BST sailings from Dover to Boulogne had been cancelled, but a service would leave Dover at 1230 BST for Dieppe. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| Eurotunnel services and trains run by Eurostar have been unaffected by the industrial action so far. | Eurotunnel services and trains run by Eurostar have been unaffected by the industrial action so far. |
| Extra passenger and freight trains have been running from Folkestone to Calais to deal with increased demand. | Extra passenger and freight trains have been running from Folkestone to Calais to deal with increased demand. |
| 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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |