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| Ferries resume as blockade ends | Ferries resume as blockade ends |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Ferry services from Dover have resumed after French fishermen decided not to continue their blockade of the port of Calais, P&O Ferries has said. | |
| Thousands of holidaymakers and hauliers trying to cross the Channel had faced a third day of disruption because of industrial action by French fishermen. | Thousands of holidaymakers and hauliers trying to cross the Channel had faced a third day of disruption because of industrial action by French fishermen. |
| Blockades of Dunkirk and Boulogne were also lifted earlier, so protesters could attend union meetings. | Blockades of Dunkirk and Boulogne were also lifted earlier, so protesters could attend union meetings. |
| P&O and SeaFrance ferries have resumed. Norfolkline is also in operation. | |
| A spokeswoman for P&O said on Thursday morning: "The blockade is being lifted for today. | A spokeswoman for P&O said on Thursday morning: "The blockade is being lifted for today. |
| "We can start as soon as possible to get ships moving and resume a normal service as soon as possible. | "We can start as soon as possible to get ships moving and resume a normal service as soon as possible. |
| We're sorry but this action is the only thing the politicians understand Pascal Hamy, Calais protester | |
| "There was a backlog of freight at Calais this morning, but with the ability to operate as normal, we should be able to clear that." | "There was a backlog of freight at Calais this morning, but with the ability to operate as normal, we should be able to clear that." |
| One of the Calais protesters, Pascal Hamy, 49, said "There have been some concessions but they're not enough. | |
| "What we want to do is work. We're not guilty of causing the problem [for travellers]. | |
| "The people guilty of that are the French government and Brussels. It's not us. | |
| "We understand people are stuck here and we know that they are frustrated. | |
| "We're sorry but this action is the only thing the politicians understand." | |
| 'Worst possible time' | 'Worst possible time' |
| Protesters fighting EU fishing quotas had blocked the ports of Calais, Dunkirk, and Boulogne since Tuesday. | Protesters fighting EU fishing quotas had blocked the ports of Calais, Dunkirk, and Boulogne since Tuesday. |
| The blockade was lifted overnight to allow the backlog of passengers to clear from Calais. | The blockade was lifted overnight to allow the backlog of passengers to clear from Calais. |
| It was imposed again early on Thursday and then lifted again. | |
| People were advised to make alternative travel arrangements. | People were 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. |
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| Aerial footage of blockade queues on the M20 in Kent | Aerial footage of blockade queues on the M20 in Kent |
| One French union had reportedly tried 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 had reportedly tried to extend the blockade to Eurotunnel, but a spokesman for the tunnel operator said the French police would not allow that to happen. |
| Passengers urged to check ferries | Passengers urged to check ferries |
| 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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