Hope for stranded truckers as France eases UK travel ban
FRENCH authorities announced that journeys from the UK will be allowed to resume after the coronavirus ban was lifted, but those seeking to travel must have a negative test result.
The conditions may do little to ease congestion in Kent caused by the French decision to stop hauliers using the Channel crossing.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged lorry drivers not to head to the county in the hope of boarding a ferry or train.
The travel ban was imposed in response to fears about the spread of the more infectious coronavirus strain, which is spreading in the UK.
French transport minister Jean-baptiste Djebarri said: “Planes, boats and Eurostar trains will resume service as of tomorrow morning.
“French nationals, people living in France and those with a legitimate reason will have to be carrying a negative test.”
Mr Shapps tweeted: “Good progress today and agreement with the French Government on borders.
“We will provide an update on hauliers later this evening, but hauliers must still NOT travel to Kent this evening.”
More than 2,800 HGVS were stuck in Kent on Tuesday afternoon as a result of the disruption.
The French decision to ease its restrictions came after the European Commission recommended a joint approach from EU members in response to the mutant VUI 202012/1 coronavirus.
The Eu-wide approach recommended by the commission would allow essential travel, and transit of passengers should be facilitated.
Flight and train bans “should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions”, the commission said.
EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders said: “Member states should take co-ordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU.”
But “at the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes”.
Transport commissioner Adina Valean said: “Within the EU, it is crucial that transport workers are exempted from any restrictive measures.”
The EU’S recommendation suggested rapid tests should be used to avoid disruption to cargo flows.
Despite the European Commission recommendations, Ireland extended restrictions on travel from Great Britain until December 31 which ban passen
ger flights and sea crossings. The situation at the Channel has led to concerns about the supply of food imported from the continent and exports heading to France. Thousands of lorry movements are being disrupted by the French travel ban, the Food and Drink Federation told MPS.
“We reckon about 4,000 are on their way to Dover at various points,” the federation’s chief executive Ian Wright said.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), told the Business Select Committee: “If we do not see the empty trucks, which have already delivered to warehouses and stores, getting back over the Channel, they will not be able to pick up the next consignment of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad vegetables.