Strike at Calais docks causing delays for UK-bound passengers
Freight vehicles are mostly affected, but backlog of traffic near port is affecting drivers too
Freight services have been hardest hit by the strike action
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A strike by dockworkers at France’s Calais port is causing havoc to vehicles accessing the area, with some saying traffic has “paralysed” services.
Dockworkers affiliated to France’s CGT union blocked roads to the port at around 03:00 this morning (December 14).
The roads were cleared of blockages at around 09:00 this morning, but serious ensuing chaos has caused severe congestion in the area, making it difficult for vehicles, particularly freight, to enter the port.
Although the delays mostly affect freight services, some passenger services are also delayed, either due to the backlog of traffic or the low number of workers on-site.
Workers are on a 24-hour strike to protest the pension reform and to “improve resources at the port”, as part of the CGT’s wider call for dockworkers in the country to strike today.
Some ferries affected
“Due to industrial action from midnight on the 14th of December until the 15th of December we expect delays and disruptions on our Calais route. We recommend affected customers to travel via Dunkerque,” said DFDS Ferries, who run services between Dover and Calais/Dunkerque.
The company added that affected passengers would be contacted via text, although it is unclear how many services have been affected.
Other companies such as Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries are still running services from the port of Calais despite the strikes.
Updates from their social media pages and websites say both companies’ services are unaffected by the strikes.
Delays on Channel Tunnel shuttle
LeShuttle, which manages the rail link between Calais and Folkestone via the Channel Tunnel, are likewise informing passengers of delays.
Its website, which provides live updates, states that departures from Calais are facing delays of up to one hour, although check-in and boarding were “fluid”.
As traffic clears up, delays should lessen throughout the evening, and return to normal by tomorrow (December 15) following the 24-hour strike.
However, passengers travelling on December 15 would be wise to check with their company to ensure that their service is unaffected.
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