Transport bosses to address migrant conference after more Calais clashes

As the migrant situation in Calais continues to cause disruption for hauliers and leave HGV drivers fearing for their safety, an array of road transport industry representatives, politicians and officials are preparing to address a conference on Pan-European Freight Security and the Migrant Crisis, taking place from 27-28 April in London.

Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), will be speaking at the event, as will James Hookham, deputy chief executive of the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The conference, organised by business events specialist LBCG, is an industry- and government-backed initiative designed to address a variety of security issues currently being faced by the freight industry as a result of the migrant situation, including road haulage.

Other key speakers include Home Office immigration minister James Brokenshire; Dan Cook, operations director at Europa Worldwide; Andy Griffiths, regional security manager at Ceva Logistics; Christopher Chope MP; and John Keefe, UK director of public affairs at Eurotunnel Group.

Items of discussion will include how to mitigate disruption and further secure ports, and the technologies available to detect migrants and improve vehicle security. More information about the event can be found here.

Meanwhile, FTA said that a recent court ruling in favour of a plan by the French government to clear part of the ‘Jungle’ migrant camp at Calais – home to an estimated 5,000 migrants – was “a step in the right direction.”

Efforts by the French police to dismantle the section of the camp had begun shortly before this edition of Transport Operator went to press, leading to clashes between the authorities and its migrant occupants.

While around 100 migrant homes were successfully dismantled, around a dozen of the shacks were reportedly set on fire, as riot police deployed tear gas in response to rocks being thrown by protesters and migrants.

Pauline Bastidon, FTA’s head of European policy, said: “We appreciate the need for careful consideration – as the clearance of the camp could be seen as violating the fundamental rights of the migrants.  However, considerations should also be given to the rights of our members to go about their work without fear of violence or intimidation.

“Disruption caused in part by migrant activity last year cost the UK freight industry an estimated £750,000 a day, and we do not want to see that situation repeated. £89 billion worth of UK trade passes through the port every year so it’s crucial that a solution is found as a matter of urgency.”

FTA said it was urging the French and UK authorities to make progress with new secure truck parking facilities and migrant registration procedures. Many of its members are reportedly advising drivers to avoid stopping in areas on the approach to the port and Eurotunnel, following incidents of migrants attacking trucks.

The RHA’s Richard Burnett said in January that the crisis was “becoming all consuming”.

“The cost to both the UK and French economy as a whole since the Calais crisis began has been massive. In particular, the financial losses suffered by UK-bound hauliers on a daily basis as a result of migrants climbing on-board trucks and damaging loads has cost transport operators and their customers millions of pounds.

“In addition, the emotional, and often physical cost to HGV drivers has been considerable. We regularly hear of drivers who quite simply refuse to travel through this critical freight route because they no longer want to put their lives at risk. And why should they?”

The RHA recently announced an extension of the scope of its 24/7 Incident Reporting Line set up to take calls from hauliers and their drivers affected by the situation. The system now employs technology which can instantly recognise a wide range of languages – allowing details of every call received to be logged.

“The more evidence we gain, the stronger our case for urgent government intervention becomes,” Richard Burnett said.

“The 24/7 multilingual Incident Reporting Line will provide the evidence and understanding that is needed to ensure we get the protection that the haulage industry is entitled to expect.”