howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Lack of hard standing at either place Jan. A good example is a year or two back there was rain at the county show and cars were stuck and needed rescue vehicles to get them out. With heavy trucks the problem would be even worse plus local roads would end up being covered in mud.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
There is a lot of hard standing in the actual showground including roads. The cars that were stuck were on the surrounding fields that are used as overflow carparks when the show is on, visitors normally have to avoid sheep droppings in those areas.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,387
Had an update from the RHA at work. So will Stack and Manston be up and running I wonder?
FRANCE - CROSS CHANNEL OPERATIONS
Calais port is busy. Eurotunnel have had a problem causing a reported 5km tailback, and DFDS have delays to their sailings to both Calais & Dunkirk. Freight traffic is being stored at the Eastern port of the Calais port.
It's also the Bank Holiday weekend so ports and train are likely to be busy with returning tourist traffic.
Migrant activity likely to pick up if freight traffic is slow moving.
EUROTUNNEL - DELAYS
At 0720hrs, Eurotunnel reported that their service was fluid in the UK. However, in France it was facing some disruption to the timetable as a consequence of migrant activity overnight.
Trains were ready to leave but have to await security clearance. The police were on site to manage the situation. We've not had an update to the situation which at the time of the alert was:
UK -> France: normal transit time
Wait before Check-in: 0
France -> UK: 2h30 transit time
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
we are all doomed.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
Manston of course is totally impractical but it has been suggested that perhaps we could use the old Ashford airfield just off the M20, any thoughts?
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,387
Never heard of that airfield, is it anywhere near here? Ashford Truckstop / Ex-railway land.
http://binged.it/1PF7Bfq
Perfect place surely
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
We have heard about the Roma travellers closing off the motorway yesterday or the day before now we have Neil posting on Facebook that ferry workers have effectively closed the Port of Calais. I would think tomorrow would be one of the biggest days of the year for Brits retuning from their continental jaunts.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Confirmation here, how nasty is this? Working people ruining the holidays of other working people.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/port-closure-leaves-thousands-stranded-42488/Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
it will continue until a solution is found.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
This evening the strikers in Calais signed a protocol of agreement giving employment for 402 of them plus payment of all wages up to end of August. Ships due to be handed back 9am Weds.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
a partial solution at last,still leaves aprox a 100 to sort out.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Who are the 402 going to work for as I cannot imagine DFDS will operate the 2 ferries that were occupied by the My Ferry crews?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
From La Voix du Nord last evening:
Le protocole d'accord porté par le secrétaire d'État aux Transports Alain Vidalies a été signé ce lundi soir par tous les acteurs du dossier My Ferry Link, la SCOP SeaFrance, le groupe Eurotunnel et le groupe DFDS. Les navires immobilisés et occupés dans le port de Calais depuis le 29 juin seront restitués ce mercredi, à 9 h.
Le texte signé prévoit la création de 402 emplois par Eurotunnel et DFDS, ainsi que le versement d'une indemnité transactionnelle pour les salariés qui seraient encore sans emploi au 1er janvier 2016.
Le paiement des salaires du mois d'août, qui constituait le dernier point d'achoppement dans les négociations, sera assuré par le liquidateur de la SCOP SeaFrance. « Les discussions ont permis de dégager des moyens nécessaires », précise le communiqué publié par le secrétariat d'État aux Transport ce lundi soir.
Il est par ailleurs indiqué que le Berlioz et le Rodin, immobilisés dans le port de Calais depuis le 29 juin, seront restitués ce mercredi à 9 h.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
Translation of Peter's post.
From La Voix du Nord last evening: The MoU carried by the Secretary of State for Transport Alain Vidal was signed Monday by all actors of the My Ferry Link folder, SeaFrance SCOP, the Eurotunnel group and the group DFDS. Ships detained and held in the port of Calais since June 29 will be returned this Wednesday at 9 am. The signed text provides for the creation of 402 jobs by Eurotunnel and DFDS, and the payment of a settlement compensation for employees would still unemployed at January 1, 2016. The payment of wages in August, which was the last sticking point in the negotiations, will be provided by the liquidator of the SeaFrance SCOP. "The discussions have revealed the means," the statement released by the State Secretariat for Transport of Monday night. It is also indicated that the Berlioz and Rodin, immobilized in the port of Calais since June 29 , will be returned at 9 am Wednesday.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Thanks for that Jan so it appears the My ferry crew will be paid in full for the disruption any damage caused to the vessels. I don't think this is the end of the matter as DFDS do not know the extent of any damage to the ferries yet. How long before they go out on strike again?
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Today in French social media the MyFerry crew and their supportersare bitterly critical of Eric Vercoutre (Happy Eric) whom they accuse of having sold them down the river. I would not be surprised if earlier threats to scuttle the Rodin and Berlioz were carried out.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Today the vessels have been handed over to the bailiffs acting for the liquidator. It seems the Rodin has been trashed and much equipment 'liberated' by the strikers but apparently the Berlioz is in good nick, according to a French journalist who managed to blag his way on board.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I suppose the crews will still be paid until the "Rodin" becomes seaworthy again. The whole situation sends the wrong message to anyone else who is threatened with redundancy.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
I wonder how many of the strikers will still be employed by DFDS this time next year, I know I would get rid of them at the first opportunity.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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