The French strike... so Kent suffers

Operation Stack has been extended as French fishermen continue to blockade the Port of Calais.

Phase two of the operation has now been put in place, meaning the hard shoulder and inside lane of the M20 between junctions eight and nine has been closed to allow lorries to queue.

It follows the implementation of phase one, between junctions 10 and 11, yesterday afternoon, when bad weather stopped ferry services from the Port of Dover.

The problems eased in the evening when ferry services restarted, but before the back log of trucks was cleared this morning services were forced to stop once again.

The action by French fishermen means the Port of Calais is effectively closed, causing disruption to P&O Ferries and SeaFrance crossings.

Norfolkline services to Dunkerque are unaffected and SpeedFerries' only vessel is away for a refit.

Richard Ashworth, a Tory MEP for the South East, said: "The French government continues to ignore its obligation to provide free passage for Britons travelling in the European Union.

"There will always be factors out of our control on the Channel such as weather and technical faults, but our entry into France should never be blocked by industrial action. Once again, France's domestic problems have had a knock-on effect on south east England.

"France continues to turn a blind eye to this kind of deliberate disruption to a crucial trade route and it is totally unacceptable."