FrenchDuck UK - Latest

The French are up to their old tricks again - if they do not like what is happening to the cost of fuel, they blockade the ports and disrupt cross-channel traffic. This time it seems to be mainly the fishing and merchant fleets who are unhappy at the continuing increase in the price of fuel, especially diesel. However, French prices remain slightly lower than in the UK for fuel, allowing for the poor exchange rate.

Kent Police is issuing a strong message tonight to motorists and people intending on travelling through Dover, or planning to take holidays using Dover ferries, not to attempt to get to the port without checking that services are running.

The fisherman’s blockade of Calais is reported to be over and ferries are loading at the Port of Dover, but all travellers are strongly advised to ensure they check their bookings with their respective ferry operator before setting off on their journey.

Operation Stack is currently in place. Junctions 8 (Leeds Castle) and 9 (Ashford West) coastbound on the M20 are closed.

You can check the latest conditions at Kent Police or the Port of Dover

Operation Stack, which works to ease traffic backlog at Kent’s ports and borders, remains in place tonight and is expected to continue tomorrow.

UPDATE - FRIDAY 23 May 2008 - MESSAGE UPDATED at 22:00 hours on Friday, 23rd May, 2008

Current sea conditions in the Channel are slight to moderate, with a north-easterly breeze, Force 5, and the visibility is good

All sailings with P&O Ferries and SeaFrance to Calais and Norfolkline to Dunkerque are experiencing delays and have limited space on all departures.

SpeedFerries’ fastcraft services, from the Hoverport to Boulogne, will resume again tomorrow morning.

Port users are advised that all road improvements on the A20 through Dover are suspended over the Bank Holiday weekend and will resume on Tuesday.

Phase two of Operation Stack, the police operation to queue freight on a section of the M20 motorway to ease traffic backlog at Kent’s ports and borders, was lifted overnight.

Junctions 8-9 coastbound of the M20 are now open.

UPDATE - MONDAY 26 MAY from the Port of Dover:-

All sailings with P&O Ferries and SeaFrance to Calais, and with Norfolkline to Dunkerque are running to time with space available.

SpeedFerries’ fastcraft services, from the Hoverport to Boulogne are also on time with space on the 1420 & 1800hrs services, all other departures are fully booked.