Truckers ‘face death’ in Calais chaos

Irish truckers face being injured or killed as a result of the chaotic migrant situation in the French port of Calais.

Holidaymakers also experienced another round of disruption yesterday in their journeys on the Channel Tunnel after migrants invaded the Eurotunnel terminal in France. The disruption follows the death on Monday of a migrant trying to reach the UK through the Channel Tunnel.

According to the Irish Road Hauliers Association, its drivers face extreme danger every day.

“We made representations to the Department of Foreign Affairs about this and they have not even acknowledged our letter,” said IRHA president Veronica Murphy.

“This is a very dangerous situation but the department does not seem to be taking it seriously. The worry is that one of our members will be hurt or killed. Already, foreign drivers have been stabbed and suffered serious injury.”

The IRHA has called on French authorities to bring in military personnel to assert control of the area. “This is a grave situation,” said Ms Murphy.

The migrant crisis in Calais has escalated in recent months, with around 3,000 people displaced from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria and Afghanistan setting up camp near the port. They congregate in their thousands in Calais in the hope of an escape to the UK, with some seeking to onward to Ireland.

“Clandestine camps are increasing in Calais and the reality is that there is no law and order there at the moment,” said Ms Murphy. “It is not that we are unsympathetic to the plight of these migrants, but they are posing danger to our drivers.”

Adding to the problem, French ferry workers have gone on strike over job losses, crippling the transport infrastructure and at times closing the Channel Tunnel.

The continuing difficulties occurring at Calais present a threat to Irish operators of commercial vehicles who are land-bridging through the UK to access the Continent.

The Freight Transport Association has identified five levels of risk to safety and disruption to journeys when driving to Calais and other Channel ports in the Nord Pas de Calais and other regions of northern France.

Drivers are advised to take different actions depending upon the nature of the situation and degree of threat posed.

The most common threat that drivers face is the presence of stowaways on board their vehicle. Both the driver and/or vehicle operator face fines in the UK if a company security scheme is not evident and the driver has not taken any preventative measures.

Trucking companies can face penalties of £2,000 (€2,800) for each migrant found on a vehicle.

“It is becoming dangerous and vehicles are having to queue for long time in both directions,” said Neil McDonnell, general manager of FTA Ireland.

“Drivers have been getting food and water brought to them on the motorway down to Dover as many of them have to wait up to 20 hours in the truck.

“On the other side, northbound into Calais, drivers face physical danger, with some having to get out of their vehicles to defend themselves. It is a totally unacceptable situation.”