UK supply chain in danger of collapse, warns FTA
THE UK supply chain faces severe disruption or even collapse unless the Government acts to ensure tighter control of the Calais migrant problem.
The warning comes from the Freight Transport Association, which said its members were becoming increasingly more concerned about the issue.
The migrant population has risen to around 3,000, as those fleeing North Africa and Middle East make their way to Calais in the hope of crossing the Channel to Britain.
The FTA said the situation had led to both the ferry terminals and Eurotunnel increasing checks on vehicles prior to embarkation, which was slowing down the movement of lorries and threatened the reliability of the UK supply chain to and from Europe.
Donald Armour, FTA’s International Affairs Manager, said: “The UK Government really must insist on greater proactive involvement by the responsible French authorities; if they don’t act soon the UK supply chain could be in serious danger of being very badly disrupted.”
He said the UK Border Force and French authorities had a good working relationship but it was clear that resources were stretched, and more was needed to be done as a matter of urgency.
The FTA has welcomed moves by Eurotunnel and UK ferry operators who are reportedly looking at ways to increase secure parking areas as a matter of urgency; both are providing additional space but it said as UK trade continued to improve more HGVs were travelling to and from the UK.
However, without sufficient security measures for drivers ensuring them a safe passage home, the FTA said it was concerned for their safety.
Mr Amour added: “With an estimated 3,000 migrants now living rough in Calais the surrounding area, FTA’s principle concern is the safety of drivers attempting to travel safely through the port and trying to avoid stowaways hitching a ride on a lorry into the UK. We don’t believe that truck drivers should be made to act as unpaid immigrations officers.”
