RHA: migrant activity is increasing beyond Calais
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has said its fears that increased security at Calais would push migrants seeking passage to the UK further afield to smaller French ports are becoming a reality.
“It is apparent that migrant activity is growing as the weather improves,” said RHA chief executive Richard Burnett.
“It also appears that Dieppe – about half-way between Calais and Le Havre – is becoming the new migrant magnet. Instances of human traffickers using other French ports is also increasing.”
The association reports the testimony of one of its members, Neville Dale of David Dale Removals.
“Once again I am gobsmacked,” he said. “[Migrants] are everywhere. I have seen them scaling the fence at Dieppe. Just to make it even more difficult, we are now not allowed to park in the Port of Dieppe after leaving the ferry late at night. We now have to run outside of the port to park up, and then you are wide open to them.”
Burnett added that this and similar reports proved the situation was “far from under control,” adding: “It is essential that security, regardless of the size of the French port in question, must be increased. The lives of hauliers remain under threat and the issue must be tackled.”
Last month UK truck drivers faced further grief in Calais due to motorway blockades and protests at fuel refineries over new labour laws, leading to fuel shortages across much of France.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) reported that dozens of filling stations near the port had run dry, and cited Belfast-based driver Tony Henderson who said some filling stations were limiting drivers to 200 litres of diesel.
“If you can’t get fuel, you can’t move,” he said. “And if you have a full tank then you’re a sitting target overnight for thieves. It’s a Catch 22 situation.”
Said FTA’s deputy chief executive James Hookham: “If the situation deteriorates further, deliveries to shops could be affected as drivers struggle to get fuel.
“FTA hopes the protests and blockades don’t extend to the Port of Calais like last summer, when we saw unprecedented chaos and disruption to the supply chain costing our members hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
