Thousands of British travellers were reportedly stranded in the French port of Calais yesterday after a blockade by fishermen.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, all ferries from Dover had to be stopped, while four boats “packed with truckers, tourists and people stocking up on booze before Christmas” were stranded in the English Channel for several hours before returning to the English port.
Three ferries were reportedly trapped in Calais docks by the blockade. There were also knock-on effects on road systems on both sides of the Channel, with reports of long queues of cars and lorries on the M20 motorway in Kent.
A freight industry spokesman is quoted as saying: “Here we go again. On a very busy Thursday at the busiest time of the year, the international haulage industry – as well as large numbers of Christmas shoppers – have been severely disrupted by the actions of militant French fishermen.” The blockade was ended at 6.15pm.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
