The Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) are calling for government intervention after a Polish van driver was killed at Calais as a result of migrant action.
According to reports, the van collided with three trucks that had be forced to stop on one of the Port’s main approach roads, the A16, as a result of migrants blocking the road with trees trunks.
The van subsequently caught fire and the driver died. A total of nine Eritrean migrants were found in the back of one of the trucks.
In response RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “Our worst fears have become a reality. We have been predicting this for two years.
“The lives of innocent people, who want no more than to be able to go about their daily business in safety are being put at risk by those whose only aim in life is to reach the UK. They don’t care about anyone but themselves and as a result a life has been lost.
“President Macron must get a grip of this situation and we urge him to deploy the French military to provide safe passage for the thousands of UK-bound hauliers that use this route every day.”
Meanwhile the FTA has urged the Government to lobby the French authorities to protect drivers passing through the Calais area.
Pauline Bastidon, head of European policy, said: “We are seeking immediate action by the French police and government in the Calais area to ensure the continued safety of our members in undertaking their daily tasks.
“Meanwhile, FTA urges members to take extra care when moving goods to and from the port areas, and to be extremely vigilant on the approach roads to Calais.”
