calais

Calais intermodal service put back due to migrant fears

SNCF Logistics’ rail freight subsidiary VIIA has postponed introduction of a new piggyback service from the South of France to Calais because of the migrant problems in the French port. The VIIA Britanica service was due to start operations from Le Boulou on the French-Spanish border on 12 January. While extensive safety training has taken place in the past few weeks by rail teams and the police – during which ... [+]

RHA dismayed by Dunkirk migrant plan – further updated

The Road Haulage Association says it is dismayed at the news that a new migrant camp is to be built at Dunkirk ferry port, 30 miles from Calais. It would cause “yet more misery for the thousands of UK-bound hauliers who regularly use this alternative route to cross the Channel", ... [+]

More mayhem in Calais

Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) released photographs of a truck damaged by stone-throwing migrants in Calais. The windscreen of the Virginia International Logistics lorry was cracked in two places in the attack. FTAI general manager, Neil McDonnell, said: "We understand the terrible conditions under which migrants and asylum seekers are living in ... [+]

‘End Calais chaos or someone will get killed’

Violence by migrants against truck drivers in Calais is increasing and measures currently being taken to protect them are not enough, warns the Road haulage Association. Security on the ground at the port has been stepped up but this has made migrants increasingly frustrated in their efforts to gain access ... [+]

‘Bring in the Army’ says RHA

The Road Haulage Association has repeated its call for the French army to be deployed to secure the Tunnel following the latest upsurge in would-be stowaways trying to break into trucks. With a reported 7,000 illegal migrants in the port area on 23 October and the largest police presence in ... [+]

Calais opens trailer-train terminal

The Port of Boulogne-Calais officially opened its new Rail Motorway Terminal on 23 October, saying it had become the first in Europe to have such a facility. The Rail Motorway Terminal is the first stage in a strategy to develop the transport of unaccompanied semi-trailers and will, from January ... [+]

Calais chaos makes unwelcome return

The Freight Transport Association is warning that migrants are once again putting besieging trucks passing through the port of Calais, with drivers being threatened by organised gangs of migrants throwing stones and trying to get aboard trucks. Its members have reported a worsening situation as delays at the Eurotunnel terminal push ... [+]

EU pumps millions into Dover-Calais route

The European Commission has announced a €143million (£104million) cash injection to develop ferry services on both sides of the Channel as part of the BRIDGE (Building the Resilience of International and Dependent Gateways in Europe) project, co-funded by the European Union under the Motorways of the Sea priority. In the ... [+]

Calais crisis ‘could spread to other ports’

The migrant crisis could shift from Calais to other ports, Home Secretary Theresa May warned while on a visit to the area on 20 August. According to the BBC, she said she was "well aware of the possibility of displacement" of the issues at Calais, and was considering beefing up ... [+]

Scots seek Dover alternatives

Scottish Government officials, including Transport Scotland and Fisheries and Food Secretary Richard Lochhead have held talks with industry stakeholders on long-term potential alternative routes to market following recent disruption and delays at the Channel Tunnel and Port of Dover. Richard Lochhead said: “A fast-track for fresh produce and other key consignments ... [+]

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