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French lift ferry block ... then change their minds
Danny Brierley15.04.09
CROSS-channel ferry passengers were facing a second successive day of travel disruption today after French fishermen resumed a port blockade.
P&O Ferries said the fishermen blocked off Calais at 6am today, halting the operator's sailings between Dover and the Normandy port.
The blockade had been lifted overnight, allowing hundreds of passengers stranded in the ports yesterday to complete their journeys.
Industrial action at the French ports of Boulogne and Dunkirk - sparked yesterday afternoon by a row over EU fishing quotas - was also thought to be taking place for a second day.
A spokeswoman for P&O said it was advising passengers on day trips to make alternative arrangements today, while those with longer-stay tickets are being told to head for Dover as normal. She said: "We are monitoring the situation."
Kent Police yesterday implemented Operation Stack - its system to ease freight congestion on the M20 - in a bid to tackle growing traffic delays leading to Dover. Phase two of Operation Stack was introduced early in the evening - closing the M20 coastbound between junctions eight and nine.
Non-freight traffic was diverted on to the A20, causing long queues of traffic.
Richard Ashworth, Conservative MEP for Kent, said: "It is not fair for French fishermen to take out their frustrations on us and turn the M20 into a lorry park."
He added: "It is time the French government put an end to this. Our transport links should never operate at the mercy of French fishermen."
Reader views (10)
To all those who commented. Have a nice day and continue to take an interest in life's great panorama. PS. I love France and the French and England and the English and Normandy and the Normans and uncle Tom Cobley........
- O'Bored, London
What is the point of the European Econmic Union ?
- Joe, Swanley Kent
O'Bored London,had the french been so detemined to blockade their Country in 1939,there may never have had to be the situation at Dunkirk.
- Colin, Bristol
Frank of Bristol. At least the French take action. Colin, Bristol - you mean like running away at Dunkirk and getting the US to finance and supply us? William the Conqueror was a frenchman and most of us are descended from the Normans, Germans and the Saxons. Liberty - egality - fraternity to you mate!
- O'Bored, London
The French need British Riot Police to arrest them; or pen them in etc.
They could charge them all with Conspiracy.
- Mickyinlondon, london
Yes, Frank, much better to let your government get away with gross incompetence than - God forbid - protest !
- Marianne, SW France
what exactly are you trying to say?
- Brice, paris
Send in the Navy.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Of course these actions contravene EU regulations, but hey when did anyone think of the French as being decent people? Time to leave the EU and save ourselves 20 billion.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
What a pity the French Fishermens Forefathers did not show such spirit in 1939 !!
- Colin, Bristol
