FTA call for urgent action at Calais meeting – CPC London

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) called for urgent action to protect the trade links between the UK and the rest of Europe when they met with Xavier Bertrand, the new president of the Nord Pas de Calais Picardie region.

Xavier Bertrand arranged the meeting in Calais with transport stakeholders to discuss what impact the crisis is having on transportation flows, as well as looking for new ways to explore potential solutions. A number of proposals will be drawn up which will be presented to the British and French governments and the EU.

The FTA have estimated that the disruptions that occurred last summer caused by industrial action at the port of Calais and increase migrant activity cost the UK fright industry almost a million pounds a day. The ‘jungle camp’ as it is being called, is now home to around 5,000 migrants with attacks on lorries and drivers now occuring daily. FTA members have reported an increase in violence and the unrest has prompted indefinite suspension of a new freight rail link between Calais and Le Boulou.

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FTA Head of European Policy, Pauline Bastidon had this to say: “We welcome today’s meeting with Mr Bertrand to highlight the impact of the problems at the port of Calais on the UK economy and beyond. £89 billion worth of UK trade passes through the port every year so it’s crucial that we find a solution as a matter of urgency.

“We want to see the camp moved away from the road, and the port and Eurotunnel facility secured against migrant incursion. Our members need a safe and secure area to wait with their trucks.”

The meeting was attended by stakeholders from both sides of the Channel including the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel, P&O Ferries and the Fédération Nationale des Transports Routiers.

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