Eurotunnel night closure – ‘an incredulous suggestion’ says RHA
Suggestions to instigate night-time closures at Eurotunnel have been met with incredulity by the Road Haulage Association.
Commenting, RHA Chief Executive Richard Burnett said: “The latest suggestion to address the issue of migrants entering the Channel Tunnel at night simply beggars belief. The idea would cost far more in terms of damage to the economy than it could ever gain in terms of increased security during the hours of darkness.”
The RHA stands firm by its call for deployment of the French military to provide increased security on the ground to secure the Tunnel, contain and segregate the migrant contingent and thereby protect the drivers of heavy goods vehicles. The main target for night-time migrant activity.
Closing Eurotunnel at night will have a catastrophic effect on the efficiency and capacity of the freight traffic that relies on this connection to Calais for the transfer of goods between the UK and rest of Europe.
In conclusion, Richard Burnett said: “Cross Channel freight capacity has already been severely impacted since the MyFerry ships have been out of action. To consider a move that would reduce the capacity even further would be a detrimental step that would serve no useful purpose whatsoever.
“At a time when the economy, UK hauliers, holidaymakers and the people of Kent are really suffering, is this really the best that anyone can come up with?”
