Britain’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) says moving border controls currently in operation at Calais to Dover would severely impact both UK and French haulage operations.
The proposal to shift immigration responsibility for migrants eager to reach the UK from French soil to Britain, has been raised by Presidential candidate Alain Juppé, along with other Élysée Palace hopefuls ahead of elections next year.
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This week will see French authorities finally demolish the so-called jungle camp near to the Port of Calais, which was home to up to 10,000 desperate refugees anxious to reach the UK, prompting Paris and London to flatten the temporary shelters in a bid to halt threats and intimidation to lorry and passenger drivers alike.
“It [moving Calais immigration to Dover] would have a huge impact [on our members] because it would reduce the number of crossings – they would have to be limited,” an FTA spokeswoman told just-auto. “We don’t know when any decision will be made and whether that is just posturing by somebody who is a Presidential candidate.
“It would not advantage the French either – their trade would be affect [ed].”
The FTA noted it was not aware of any particular surge in migrant activity now the bulldozers have moved into the Calais camp, but rather pointed to the incessant difficulties faced by its members as refugees fleeing political turmoil resorted to increasingly desperate attempts to cross the English Channel.
“To be honest it [driver threats] is pretty constant – it is not as if there is any respite,” added the FTA spokeswoman. “It is key to us to get the camp moved. We appreciate the humanitarian side – we are really pleased to see the processing…because that is what we have been calling for from the start.
“Our members were sitting ducks as migrants tried to get on board. Calais is the busiest port and they will go the place whether there are the most trucks to try and get on board and stow away.”
British Home Secretary, Amber Rudd has confirmed the UK will contribute up to GBP36m (US$44m) to maintain the security of the juxtaposed controls in Calais and Dover, support the clearance of the camp and ensure it remains closed.
