Wednesday, February 12

Extra 800 troops sent to help clear Kent lorry backlog


 

 

A further 800 military personnel have been sent to Kent to help thousands of lorry drivers waiting to cross into France on Christmas Day.

Some 1,100 troops have been deployed as part of the operation at the English Channel border after French Covid-19 restrictions caused severe disruption at the Port of Dover.

Thousands of hauliers are now spending Christmas Day in their cabs despite efforts to clear the backlog of lorries. Army personnel will be testing drivers for coronavirus and distributing food and water, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Friday that more than 10,000 tests had been carried out, of which 24 came back positive for the virus.

France closed its border last Sunday following the discovery of a fast-spreading mutant Covid-19 strain in the UK. Drivers must now show proof of a negative coronavirus test result taken within the past 72 hours before crossing into the country.

About 4,000 vehicles, including 2,000 freight lorries and 1,000 cars, have been cleared for departure at Dover since the border reopened on Wednesday, a port spokesman said.

However, about 5,000 lorries remain unable to get home yet, despite some progress in testing drivers in their vehicles at nearby Manston Airport, on a closed section of the M20, and in the town of Dover itself.

Some have already spent nearly a week stranded due to the diplomatic impasse. Traffic was moving smoothly through Dover on Friday morning, with French firefighters drafted in to help test drivers.

The Government said catering vans would provide hot food and drinks to hauliers stranded at Manston, with Kent County Council and volunteer groups providing refreshments to those stuck on the M20.

There are more than 250 toilets at Manston, with a further 32 portable toilets added to existing facilities on the M20.