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Migrants try to storm Channel tunnel at Calais, sparking further delays Channel tunnel delays after points failure and migrants storm Calais
(35 minutes later)
Channel tunnel services have been disrupted after about 150 migrants tried to storm the terminal in Calais in a bid to board UK-bound freight. A points failure in the Channel tunnel has delayed services by up to two hours, adding to disruption caused after migrants tried to storm the Calais terminal.
Le Shuttle services had been delayed earlier on Saturday after about 150 migrants tried to storm the terminal in Calais overnight.
Compounding the chaos for travellers Le Shuttle services from Folkestone were running 120 minutes behind schedule due to the points failures, with those from Calais subject to delays of 90 minutes.
The technical problem has now been resolved, Eurotunnel tweeted:
The technical problem in the tunnel has now been resolved & we are working hard to reform our timetable. Thank you for your patience. ^ST
Eurostar passenger trains have also been delayed.
Eurotunnel said services were delayed and cancelled after migrants attempted to access restricted areas on the French side overnight. The incident caused a return of queues on the M20 in Kent for lorry drivers trying to cross the Channel after Kent police reintroduced Operation Stack.Eurotunnel said services were delayed and cancelled after migrants attempted to access restricted areas on the French side overnight. The incident caused a return of queues on the M20 in Kent for lorry drivers trying to cross the Channel after Kent police reintroduced Operation Stack.
It also prompted renewed calls for authorities to act to solve the worsening Calais migrant crisis, which is costing the UK economy millions of pounds.
The Fresh Produce Consortium estimates that £10m of fresh fruit and vegetables have been thrown away since the start of the year as a result of the problems.
A Eurotunnel spokesman said the incident was affecting freight traffic only, with passenger services running to a full timetable.
He said: “Eurotunnel reiterates its call to the authorities to provide a solution to the migrant crisis and restore order to the Calais region.”
However, Eurotunnel said on Twitter that a technical problem had resulted in delays to Le Shuttle services used by cars. Departures from Folkestone were delayed by 90 minutes and from Calais by 60 minutes, the company said.
Operation Stack meant the A20 entrance for Le Shuttle services was closed. Drivers are advised to rejoin the M20 and exit at junction 11a.Operation Stack meant the A20 entrance for Le Shuttle services was closed. Drivers are advised to rejoin the M20 and exit at junction 11a.
There have been renewed calls for authorities to act to solve the worsening Calais migrant crisis, which is costing the UK economy millions of pounds.
The Fresh Produce Consortium estimates that £10m of fresh fruit and vegetables have been thrown away since the start of the year as a result of the problems.
Kate Gibbs, of the Road Haulage Association, said the economic impact of the repeated disruptions in Calais was horrendous.
“This situation cannot continue because it’s putting hauliers at risk, in terms of their lives and their livelihoods. Right now, we need a short-term fix, but we have also got to work on a long-term solution,” she said.
“If it means calling in the French military to support the police, then so be it.”
A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “Eurotunnel reiterates its call to the authorities to provide a solution to the migrant crisis and restore order to the Calais region.”
The Port of Dover, which faced heavy disruption this week due to striking ferry workers in France, said it remained “open for business”.The Port of Dover, which faced heavy disruption this week due to striking ferry workers in France, said it remained “open for business”.
A port spokesman said P&O Ferries was operating a full Dover-Calais service, while DFDS Seaways was running full services to Dunkirk.A port spokesman said P&O Ferries was operating a full Dover-Calais service, while DFDS Seaways was running full services to Dunkirk.
The return of Operation Stack – where freight traffic is queued on sections of the M20 – came hours after police lifted all phases of it.The return of Operation Stack – where freight traffic is queued on sections of the M20 – came hours after police lifted all phases of it.
Kent police tweeted: “Phase 2 of #OpStack remains in place. #M20 closed coast bound 8 to 9. Check with operator if heading to Channel tunnel as services disrupted.”Kent police tweeted: “Phase 2 of #OpStack remains in place. #M20 closed coast bound 8 to 9. Check with operator if heading to Channel tunnel as services disrupted.”
The migrant crisis in Calais has been escalating in recent weeks, with about 3,000 people who have been displaced from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan setting up camp near the port.The migrant crisis in Calais has been escalating in recent weeks, with about 3,000 people who have been displaced from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan setting up camp near the port.
Migrants have been taking advantage of slow-moving and queuing traffic by trying to board UK-bound vehicles, forcing some drivers to take long detours to skip Calais altogether.Migrants have been taking advantage of slow-moving and queuing traffic by trying to board UK-bound vehicles, forcing some drivers to take long detours to skip Calais altogether.
The home secretary, Theresa May, and her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve, this week agreed to increase the joint intervention fund to improve security around the port and the Channel Tunnel.The home secretary, Theresa May, and her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve, this week agreed to increase the joint intervention fund to improve security around the port and the Channel Tunnel.
French aid workers have reported a “catastrophic” situation, with predictions that 2,000 more migrants could arrive over the summer at the camp, dubbed Jungle II.French aid workers have reported a “catastrophic” situation, with predictions that 2,000 more migrants could arrive over the summer at the camp, dubbed Jungle II.
Volunteers from l’Auberge des Migrants said up to 50 new migrants a day were arriving at the camp, and there were not enough tents, blankets or food.Volunteers from l’Auberge des Migrants said up to 50 new migrants a day were arriving at the camp, and there were not enough tents, blankets or food.
British travellers have been advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to keep vehicle doors locked in traffic and when unattended in Calais.British travellers have been advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to keep vehicle doors locked in traffic and when unattended in Calais.