Nightmare before Christmas: UK border chaos sees trucks backed up for miles, supermarkets warn of shortages
22 Dec, 2020 10:28 PM
4 minutes to read
For some British truckers, retailers and traders, a feared New Year s nightmare arrived early. French borders closed, signs on roads approaching the English Channel port of Dover flashed yesterday, steering truck drivers away as traffic backed up. British supermarkets warned that supplies of fresh produce could run short within days.
Stranded trucks parked on the runway at Manston Airport in Kent today. Photo / Getty Images
Businesses have spent months worrying about disruption at Britain s borders when the UK makes a post-Brexit economic break from the European Union at the end of the year. Yesterday s mayhem, however, was caused by the coronavirus.
Some fresh produce arriving but not enough
Hundreds of lorry drivers have spent a second night sleeping in their cabs after French border closed yesterday amid fears of a new strain of COVID 19 spreading through the continent.
The ban will initially last for 48 hours while politicians try come to some agreement to get things moving again. French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said a new “health protocol” to be introduced within hours should allow shipments from the UK to resume. British officials said they were conferring urgently with their European counterparts.
Meanwhile there are some arrivals of fresh produce to the UK where companies are sending driverless loads over but not nearly the volumes required. European logistics companies are wary of sending drivers, fearing they may get stuck in the UK.
For UK exporters, post-Brexit border chaos arrives early
by Jill Lawless, The Associated Press
Posted Dec 21, 2020 9:53 am EDT
Last Updated Dec 21, 2020 at 9:58 am EDT
A police officer directs traffic at the entrance to the closed ferry terminal in Dover, England, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, after the Port of Dover was closed and access to the Eurotunnel terminal suspended following the French government s announcement. France banned all travel from the UK for 48 hours from midnight Sunday, including trucks carrying freight through the tunnel under the English Channel or from the port of Dover on England s south coast. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON For some British truckers, retailers and traders, a feared New Year’s nightmare arrived early.