LONDON, Dec 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Thousands of stranded lorry drivers spent Boxing Day in their cabs, after almost a week of disruption, at the English Channel border, UK newspapers reported, yesterday.
Around 3,000 hauliers were still waiting to cross into France from Kent, in South East England, on Christmas night, despite hundreds of British troops being drafted in to help clear the backlog.
Some have already spent nearly a week stranded, due to the diplomatic impasse, said the newspapers.
The British Ministry of Defence said, while 4,500 lorries had crossed the channel since French authorities eased restrictions on Wednesday, more vehicles were continuing to arrive “every hour.”
France closed its border last week, following the discovery of a fast-spreading mutant COVID-19 strain in Britain, causing severe disruptions at the Port of Dover.
Drivers wishing to enter France from Britain must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
More than 10,000 tests have been carried out, in a bid to clear the backlog of lorries waiting to cross the English Channel into France on Christmas Day.– NNN-AGENCIES
