French farmers and truckers launched a joint operation on September 5, 2016 to block off main routes in and out of Calais to call for the closure of the sprawling “Jungle” migrant camp there. Around 70 trucks began a “go-slow” on the main A16 motorway — the main artery for freight and passengers heading for Britain either via the Channel Tunnel or the Calais port. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN
CALAIS, France (AFP) – by David COURBET Benjamin MASSOT
Angry French truckers and farmers blocked the main routes in and out of the port of Calais on Monday to call for the closure of the sprawling “Jungle” migrant camp.
Around 70 trucks mounted a “go-slow” on the A16 motorway — the main artery for freight and passengers heading for Britain either via the Channel Tunnel or on board ferries from the port.
Dozens of farmers on tractors joined up with the trucks, slowing traffic to a crawl, while around 400 people staged a demonstration in the middle of the motorway.
Authorities said the blockade ended Monday evening. They added that despite long tailbacks at the start of the protest, a system of detours had prevented widespread disruption.
A Calais business collective held marathon talks on Monday with the Pas-de-Calais regional authorities which agreed to boost the police presence on the motorway, to rapidly dismantle the Jungle and to hold a weekly meeting on the progress made, according to David Sagnard, head of a regional road transport federation.
“We decided to end our movement for today,” even if “we are not completely satisfied,” he said.
“If tomorrow the commitments are not met… we will return and that will be different and harder,” added Sebastien Berrier, a transport union leader.
The Jungle, a squalid camp of tents and makeshift shelters, is home to some 7,000 migrants but charities say the number might be as high as 10,000 after an influx this summer.
Migrants from the camp sometimes use tree branches to create roadblocks to slow trucks heading for Britain, their destination of choice.
When the trucks slow down, migrants try to clamber into the trailers to stow away aboard.
‘We’re not people smugglers’
Drivers say migrants and people trafficking gangs have attacked their vehicles with metal bars.
The drivers say despite the deployment of 2,100 officers around the port, the police are overstretched and unable to secure the roads.
Nicolas Lotin, who runs a logistics company in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer, said: “Every day, we have to wonder whether our working day will be ruined, whether a migrant will sneak under the truck’s canvas.
“If the goods are damaged, they have to be immediately transported back to the home depot,” he said.
“This demonstration is to shout loud and clear about how fed up road hauliers are,” said Sagnard.
“What we’re calling for today are security measures so we can drive on the A16 motorway and on the port road in complete safety,” he added.
A banner attached to one of the trucks said: “We’re truck drivers, not people smugglers.”
The town’s mayor, Natacha Bouchart, who joined the protest wearing an “I love Calais” T-shirt, claims the Jungle may soon contain as many as 15,000 migrants within months unless it is razed.
‘As soon as possible’
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve promised during a visit to the Jungle on Friday to close the camp down “as quickly as possible” but said it would be done in stages.
Disgruntled Calais residents want the authorities to set a date for the entire camp to be cleared.
Bars and restaurants in Calais — which is also the main gateway to France for millions of British holidaymakers — say their trade has been severely hit by the presence of the Jungle.
“The government must declare Calais an economic emergency zone” read one banner at the demonstration.
French authorities have made repeated efforts to close the Jungle.
Earlier this year, authorities cleared shelters in parts of the site in a bid to persuade migrants to move into more permanent accommodation or camps elsewhere on France’s northern coast.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is bidding to secure the right-wing nomination to win back the presidency next year, has called for Britain to take responsibility for the migrants over the Channel.
Last week France and Britain pledged to work together to increase security at the port of Calais and to improve the humanitarian situation for the Jungle’s residents.
In an attempt to encourage migrants to leave the Jungle, France is expected to create places for an additional 8,000 people in accommodation centres around the country.
The population of the Jungle includes large numbers of Sudanese, Afghan, Somali, Syrian and Iraqi residents.