Transport on red alert for holidays

Road monitor Bison Futé has issued a red alert on all major roads across France for Saturday.

The government-run website said that holiday makers from the Benelux countries, who have just started their school holidays, would make up the bulk of the traffic

The site said most French people now delay their holidays until August.

On Sunday roads will be much clearer. The website www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr has an English language option.

A strike by workers, principally baggage handlers, is taking place at Orly and Roissy airports today.

It is set to last 24 hours but could be extended.

At Orly the strikes could also include workers at check-in desks. The CGT union is calling for better wages and working conditions.
Around 200,000 passengers are expected to use Roissy every day over the weekend while 100,000 a day will visit Orly.

The SNCF estimates it will carry 1.3 million passengers between Thursday and Saturday on 1,520 intercity trains – 1,040 of which will be TGVs.

The company is employing its gilets rouges - red vests – staff to help direct the public.