The warning comes after further delays caused by migrant activity at Calais. It also warned anyone travelling through the French port to keep vehicle doors locked because of the “large numbers of illegal migrants” and a “high threat of terrorism”.
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The Channel Tunnel is suffering further disruption, once again forcing the M20 in Kent to become a giant lorry park.
British police have activated a plan christened Operation Stack to tackle the delays which involves making thousands of British trucks queue on the M20 motorway when services are disrupted.
Home Secretary Theresa May, will meet with her French counterparts later to discuss the ongoing disruption both sides of the Channel.
This is the countrys GDP and export standing still in these horrendous queues caused by the situation in Calais. The FTA said the delays have crippled freight businesses through repeated closure of the motorway near junctions 8 and 9 of the M20.
The firm said: “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to your journey”.
In a statement it said: “The port and the ferry operators are together working hard to serve all customers travelling to and from the continent”.
Operation Stack has been implemented on three occasions in the past month, due to industrial action by port workers in Calais and significant migrant activity.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) described the reintroduction of Operation Stack as “depressing”.
The FTA, alongside Kent County Council, had proposals to introduce an emergency contraflow on the M20 rejected by Highways England last week.
Eurotunnel said its passenger services were operating to schedule, with regular departures in both directions.
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Police brought back Operation Stack in the early hours of Tuesday – after it was stood down on Sunday. “We understand that Highways England have looked at the contraflow option and are concerned at the risk to safety in introducing this, but the fact remains that we still need a safe and workable solution”. Given the value of goods lost and the subsequent cost to business, these figures show that Operation Stack is not just an issue for Kent and the south east of England but a serious national strategic problem, said Hookham.
