France Link

Calais port closed as striking French ferry workers block road

Up to 600 workers at MyFerryLink risk losing their jobs on July 2 following decision by Eurotunnel to end its partnership with the company.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

British holidaymakers and lorry-drivers trying to cross the channel are being confronted with chaos thanks to a strike that had closed the port of Calais, with French workers erecting blockades of burning tires, reports The Independent.

All ferries between Dover and Calais have been suspended thanks to the industrial action by around 100 union members, which started at 3.50am on Tuesday.

The strike, by workers by MyFerryLink workers, has led to large traffic jams and delays on other cross-channel ferry routes, with Eurotunnel vehicle shuttle services also disrupted by severe congestion.

Drivers have been told to avoid Calais altogether, as striking workers set the road on fire and a queue of 500-600 vehicles waiting to use the Eurotunnelto get to the British side of the channel.

MyFerryLink vessels are blocking the port and preventing other services, run by P&O and  DFDS Seaways, from getting through. But DFDS services from Dover to Dunkirk are still running, a spokesman for the Port of Dover said.

Read more of this report from The Independent.