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Channel blockades enter third day Channel blockades enter third day
(41 minutes 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.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 FerriesOur 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.
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Aerial footage of blockade queues on the M20 in Kent
More cancellationsMore 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?
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