Dover dodges Channel Tunnel disruptions

The port remains open for business with P&O Ferries operating a full service to Calais and DFDS Seaways operating a full service to Dunkirk and Calais. But while the port says it welcomes

Meanwhile, ‘Operation Stack’ (M20 closed coast-bound junctions 8 to 9) has now been lifted. All junctions of the M20 previously closed by Operation Stack will be opened once the last remaining freight customers are let through. There may still be residual delays in the area while the road network returns to normal.

This follows the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron’s decision to finance a new programme of fencing and additional security guards on Groupe Eurotunnel’s Coquelles site.

While the Port of Dover says it welcomes the UK government’s work to alleviate the problem, Tim Waggott, chief executive, said: “attention should not slip away from finding a solution that provides lasting resilience at this nationally important strategic freight corridor.”

“We have some concerns over the practicalities of the solution proposed but remain committed to working with all our partners to maintain traffic fluidity,” he added.

These measures add to the existing operational protection put in place by the French Interior Minister, as well as to the investments made by the Group, which has doubled the number of its security personnel since the beginning of the year, and installed reinforced security barriers on the platforms, which became operational from yesterday, and implemented a new plan for the overnight Freight Shuttle service. The Group has been in discussion with the SNCF Réseaux to strengthen the protection of the area around Calais-Frethun, outside its boundaries.

The Port of Dover, together with sister ports in France, handles £100bn of UK/European trade each year and represents a principal trade route between the UK and mainland Europe. It’s estimated that the recent disruption to this vital international trade corridor cost the national economy up to £250m per day in lost trade.