Calais lives, livelihoods and the UK economy ‘at risk’ warns RHA
The Road Haulage Association calls for extra support from the French military as danger intensifies for Calais residents and lorry drivers because of the migrant camps.
The lives of Calais residents are at “extreme risk” due to the “untenable situation” because of the migrant camps, the Road Haulage Association has warned.
The Association urged the French military to act in Calais as they claim their drivers face “attacks 24/7”.
Last year, the RHA called for the deployment of the French military to assist the authorities in their efforts to secure the Port area and the not association claim the police are unable to cope.
In a stark warning, the chief executive Richard Burnett argued that time is “running out” and the Brexit vote is encouraging refugees to attempt to make the crossing to the UK.
“This is a totally unacceptable situation,” said Mr Burnett. “We have seen other serious changes in the past twelve months.
“When I visited Calais, most migrant action was confined to the hours of darkness. But drivers now face attacks 24/7. We are seeing migrants, in broad daylight, setting fire to trees in the middle of the road, using the flames as protection as they throw missiles – rocks, bricks, even petrol bombs – at innocent drivers. Drivers who are just trying to do their job.
“The time for talking has run out...If the situation reached the stage where the police and other security personnel can’t cope, surely the obvious, short-term solution must be the deployment of the French military to secure the Port area. Thousands of HGV drivers use the Calais crossing each day. How much longer can lives and livelihoods be put at such risk? HGV drivers, especially those using this particular route home, appear to be forgotten. But they’re not just drivers; they’re mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. They are absolute heroes.
“What other occupation includes running the risk of being threatened with a chainsaw, having a chain tied around your neck, or worse, by increasingly violent migrant hordes? It has now reached the unacceptable stage where these drivers are, quite literally risking their lives each time they approach the Port on the last leg home.
“We are calling on the major Dover/Calais route stakeholders to stand together and demand urgent action to address what has become an untenable situation for all Port users; HGV drivers and motorists. The lives and livelihoods of the citizens of Calais are now also at extreme risk.”
“First and foremost, lives are in danger. But, as more and more drivers refuse to make this journey because of personal safety risks, the movement of freight from mainland Europe to the UK will slow and the subsequent economic impact of this intolerable situation will soon begin to bite”.
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