FrenchDuck UK - Latest

Just like old times - but none the less frustrating for the traveller.

The French Rail network (SNCG & TGV) will be experiencing strike action from 8pm Monday 9 June 2008 for 24 hours, as railway workers are unhappy about the reorganisation of freight traffic on the rails. This will involve some disruption to services both inter-city and in Paris and the regions, but there should be services on most lines, albeit at reduced frequency. Eurostar services from London to Lille, Paris and Brussels should not be affected.

French hauliers are still demostrating against the increase in the cost of diesel and look set to continue to demonstrate by disrupting deliveries from oil terminals, border crossings and rolling blockades along some autoroutes etc. Bordeaux seems particulaly prone to such demos, and a nationwide series of protests is planned for Monday 16 June 2008.

The best advice would seem to be to keep your tank filled up and listen to the radio to try to avoid trouble spots.

As a matter of interest BBC Radio 4 has been running a series called “1968 Day by Day” and on this week’s edition was the report of similar problems in 1968 - 40 years ago - plus ca change! - see BBC.

For the moment (9 June 2008) there appear to be no problems with cross-channel ferries from Dover, other than roadworks on the A20 on the approach to the ferry port which are causing delays - see Port of Dover

Petrol and Diesel Prices in France (as at 09 June 2008, exchange rate = £1 = €1.24)

unleaded = €1.449 (116.8p) per litre

super-unleaded = €1.467 (118.3p) per litre

diesel = €1.387 (111.8p) per litre

For up-to-date traffic information in France (in English) see www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr