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IRU calls for Calais action
[ September 5, 2016 // Chris ]The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has called for urgent action to further improve conditions for truckers in and around Calais and create secure truck parking areas on Europe’s core road network, following the protests in Calais on 5 September.
It said that action to further improve security was urgently required, adding that while promises of increased numbers of security personnel by French Interior Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, are welcome they must be put in place quickly.
Marc Billiet, who leads IRU’s work on goods transport in Europe, said, “IRU is not supporting today’s protests but fully understands the frustration felt by operators and drivers resulting from the increasingly violent attacks on vehicles and drivers. Better securing of the approach roads to the Calais area as well as increased numbers of security personnel are urgently required. I fear it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.”
IRU added that the dreadful humanitarian situation being endured by huge numbers of migrants cannot however justify the savage attacks on vehicles and drivers.
Marc Billiet concluded: “IRU reiterates its call for improved coordination between EU Member States, coordinated by the European Commission, to tackle the issue at source. More secure truck parking areas on Europe’s core road network are also required. Secure parking areas are an essential element of a safe and secure road transport system. Already today, attempts to stow away on trucks bound for the Channel Ports are being reported several hundred kilometres inland.”