FTA blasts French strike action

According to the FTA, over the past 10 years there have been at least 20 strikes and blockades in the Port of Calais, resulting in over 100 days of disruption and a cost to the UK and European transport industry of at least £100 million. It estimates that the latest jams on the M20 motorway in Kent will cost at least £2 million, as well as a great deal of inconvenience and discomfort both for marooned lorry drivers and for motorists in the surrounding road network suffering the overflow of traffic.

The FTA’s external affairs director, Geoff Dossetter, said: “Aside from an incident last month we have lately enjoyed a less disruptive time as a consequence of the antics of French workers. But if you consider all of the events in Calais over the last ten years it is a farce.

“Strikes and blockades by farmers, routiers, fishermen, port workers and all the rest impact not only on Calais but on Dover and Kent in general. Here we are in the high-tech 21st century obliged to put up with delays and costs caused by the frequent French dash to strike action. It is infuriating, expensive and stupid.”