Calais truck drivers ‘sitting ducks’ says Redditch logistics boss

A WORCESTERSHIRE logistics operator has called for better safeguards to protect truck drivers running the gauntlet of migrants at the Port of Calais.

The dangers posed to drivers using the port and the Channel Tunnel has been thrown into sharp focus by the industrial action being taken by French port workers.

Thousands of migrants looking to flee to the UK tried to board trucks bound for Britain, causing problems for hundreds of drivers.

John Simkins, general manager of Redditch-based Transmec UK, said the problems had left drivers as “sitting ducks”.

He said he now feared that a driver could be injured or even killed if the EU failed to take action to deal with the worsening situation at the French port.

Around 25 Transmec trucks have been affected by blockades by striking MyFerryLink workers. Other trucks en-route to Calais have been told to stop and await further instructions.

Drivers stuck in Calais had expressed fears for their own personal safety with migrants attempting to take advantage of the queues and board trucks, he added.

“As a company that has been operating trucks around Europe for many years, the issue of migrants attempting to access trailers in and around the Calais area is nothing new. However, since the beginning of the year the situation has progressively deteriorated, resulting in companies such as ourselves to constantly review security measures in an effort to safeguard not only our customers’ freight but also our equipment and the welfare of our drivers,” said Mr Simkins.  

“Transmec are probably in a better position than many of our competitors as around 80% of our trucks have a two-man driving team. This gives added security to the clients whose products are entrusted to us.

“Despite that, the last two weeks have seen unprecedented levels of attempted entry onto trailers, damage to trucks and physical intimidation to drivers. The strike by the MyFerryLink workers and the blockades they have built on the main road into the port have resulted in many kilometres of trucks queuing to get into Calais. This leaves the drivers and their trucks as ‘sitting ducks’.”

He said the French authorities did not appear to have an arrest policy and the migrants continued to play a game of cat and mouse with the French police who were struggling to cope.

“Drivers who are in the queue are seriously worried and are witnessing gangs of migrants roaming from truck to truck, some armed with knives deciding on their next move. The situation has concerned me for many weeks now and I fear that it is only a matter of time before a driver is dragged from his truck and beaten or, even worse, killed.

“I am not placing the blame entirely on the French authorities because clearly they are having to deal with a very difficult situation but the EU must now make a clear decision and stop the internal bickering otherwise there will be tragic consequences,” he added.