Calais – driver safety must be guaranteed
News that migrants, intent on crossing the English Channel illegally, met their match when the truck they boarded was carrying a polar bear bound for Doncaster's Wildlife Park, really highlights the fact that this issue has not gone away.
And the knock-on effects of two days industrial action by freight security staff at the Port have caused even more problems for HGV drivers.
“I visited Calais #Calais: on several occasions during the Summer”, said RHA Chief Executive Richard Burnett @RHARichardB. "Each time the desperation of these people to reach the UK and a better life had to be seen to be believed. But, as we predicted at the time, haulier safety is still being seriously compromised. Nothing has changed. We have seen the Channel Tunnel’s perimeter fences being stormed by numbers of migrants; on one occasion the number exceeded 200 in an overwhelming assault that left two French police officers and one security guard hospitalised.
"The attacks on drivers that are being reported to us are no longer spontaneous incidents. They are pre-mediated, well-planned and coordinated. The news of migrants coming face to face with a polar bear will at least help put the issue back on the news agenda. We will keep pushing this issue and remain adamant that action to detect migrant activity is being misdirected. We already have first-hand evidence of migrants walking along the Port approach roads inside the Armco barrier alongside the new £12m security fence.
"We agree with the view that this renewed onslaught is as a direct result of the deteriorating conditions in the camps and with winter approaching, we are concerned is that this increase in desperation may well result in an increase in violent attacks on drivers.
"Increased security on the Port approach roads to provide safe passage for UK-bound haulers is now the only, workable solution to this critical situation. We need increased security to be put in place now before a UK-bound haulier loses their life. The safety of drivers travelling through the Calais area must be guaranteed.
“This incident has highlighted the continuing risk but we are getting feedback from a number of members that this problem that has never gone away; it’s just getting worse. The subsequent impact on the health of the haulage industry and a continuing cost the economy is immense. Many hauliers have moved away from the short sea crossings because they have no confidence in the route. We have to restore that confidence if the route is once again to achieve its full, economically viable, potential.”
