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Port strike brings travel chaos across South East Port strike brings travel chaos across South East
(35 minutes later)
A strike at the French port of Calais has led to travel chaos with Eurostar services cancelled and part of the M20 motorway being closed. A strike at the French port of Calais has led to travel chaos, with Eurostar services cancelled and part of the M20 motorway being closed.
Ferries are stuck at Dover and lorries have been parked on the M20 in Kent, waiting for services to resume.Ferries are stuck at Dover and lorries have been parked on the M20 in Kent, waiting for services to resume.
The action by MyFerryLink workers also led to the suspension of services through the Channel Tunnel after protesters got on to the tracks. The strike, which has now finished, led to suspension of services through the Channel Tunnel after protesters got on to the tracks.
Several Eurostar trains were forced to return to St Pancras.Several Eurostar trains were forced to return to St Pancras.
There have been reports of travellers "marooned" at the London railway station and a heavy police presence. There have been reports of travellers stuck at the London railway station and a heavy police presence.
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister David Cameron said he was being "kept updated" on the situation. A spokeswoman for David Cameron said he was being "kept updated" on the situation.
Workers from the MyFerryLink company had blockaded the port of Calais in a protest over job cuts earlier on Tuesday. Workers from the MyFerryLink company went on strike and blockaded the port of Calais in a protest over job cuts earlier.
At 18:24 BST the company tweeted: "Industrial action in Calais now over and ships returning to service immediately. Our apologies to all affected by today's disruption."
In Kent, cross-Channel freight traffic waiting to cross from Dover has built up and Operation Stack has been implemented to close part of the M20 so lorries can queue there.In Kent, cross-Channel freight traffic waiting to cross from Dover has built up and Operation Stack has been implemented to close part of the M20 so lorries can queue there.
Despite the strike being due to end at 20:00 local time (19:00 BST), Operation Stack will continue throughout the night and into the morning. Despite the strike ending, Operation Stack will continue throughout the night and into Wednesday morning.
Dover Harbour Board said the industrial action closed the Port of Calais in the early hours and all ferries to and from Dover were affected, apart from DFDS Seaways services to Dunkirk.Dover Harbour Board said the industrial action closed the Port of Calais in the early hours and all ferries to and from Dover were affected, apart from DFDS Seaways services to Dunkirk.
Kent Police has said extra Dunkirk crossings have been arranged. Kent Police has said extra Dunkirk crossings had been arranged.
Lorry driver Chris Cary, from Rochester, said he tried to cross the Channel back to Kent early on Tuesday but then decided to attempt getting on a train instead. Lorry driver Chris Cary, from Rochester, said he tried to cross the Channel back to Kent early on Tuesday but decided to attempt getting on a train instead.
But he said he found the road on fire as he approached the terminal with about 500-600 trucks waiting to cross. He said he found the road on fire as he approached the terminal with about 500-600 trucks waiting to cross.
Migrant activity is reported to have increased, with people attempting to board Kent-bound lorries in France.Migrant activity is reported to have increased, with people attempting to board Kent-bound lorries in France.
The Foreign Office has warned travellers to keep their car doors locked in slow moving traffic heading back to the UK.The Foreign Office has warned travellers to keep their car doors locked in slow moving traffic heading back to the UK.
Tensions over illegal migrants at Calais have been rising, with the deputy mayor of the town blaming the British government for the number of people trying to board lorries.Tensions over illegal migrants at Calais have been rising, with the deputy mayor of the town blaming the British government for the number of people trying to board lorries.
Philippe Mignonet told BBC Radio Kent: "We will block the port - as simple as that. We'll arrange to block the tunnel if nothing is done".Philippe Mignonet told BBC Radio Kent: "We will block the port - as simple as that. We'll arrange to block the tunnel if nothing is done".
In response, a Home Office spokesman said: "Law and order in and around Calais is the responsibility of the French authorities, but the UK continues to work with its French counterparts to strengthen the security of the border to stop illegal immigrants entering the UK."In response, a Home Office spokesman said: "Law and order in and around Calais is the responsibility of the French authorities, but the UK continues to work with its French counterparts to strengthen the security of the border to stop illegal immigrants entering the UK."