Thousands of drivers spend Christmas Day in their trucks on the English Channel border

THOUSANDS OF INTERNATIONAL truck drivers were spending Christmas Day in their taxis at the English Channel border even though progress was being made to return hauliers to their home countries.

Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed as part of the repatriation operation in Kent after French Covid-19 restrictions temporarily banning the transport of goods in the UK caused serious disruption to the port of Dover.

Traffic was moving smoothly through the port this morning, with French firefighters recruited to help military drivers test for coronavirus.

More than 700 carriers have been cleared for departure since France reopened its border on Wednesday, and a chorus of horns sounded in Dover on Christmas Eve as those at the front of the queue finally celebrated being able to leave.

However, some 5,000 are still unable to get home, despite some progress in testing by drivers locked in their vehicles at nearby Manston Airport, on a closed section of the M20 and in the city of Dover itself.

Some have already spent nearly a week stranded due to the diplomatic stalemate.

Southeastern Railway and Network Rail arranged food delivery to truckers caught in Operation Brock on the M20.

Seven trains carrying boxes of food for carriers left London in the past 48 hours, and the Salvation Army distributed the items.

France closed its border on Sunday following the discovery of a rapidly spreading mutant Covid-19 strain in the UK.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We need to resolve the situation in Kent, caused by the sudden imposition of Covid restrictions by the French government, as soon as possible.

“Today I have sent special instructions to the Army to take control of the heavy vehicle and test management operations in the county. Our goal is to get foreign carriers home to their families as quickly as possible.

“I know it has been difficult for many drivers locked in their taxis at this beautiful time of year, but I assure you that we are doing our best to get them home.

The Department of Transport (DfT) said all but three of the 2,367 coronavirus tests issued to carriers have been negative, a travel stipulation introduced by French authorities.

More than 300 soldiers will be in charge of testing and sorting trucks to eliminate the delay.

The British government said catering vans would provide hot food and complementary drinks to carriers stranded at Manston, and that the Kent Council and volunteer groups would provide refreshments to those stuck on the M20.

There are over 250 toilets in Manston, with another 32 portable toilets added to existing facilities already along the M20.

A spokesperson for the Port of Dover said ferry services had been in operation through Christmas Eve night and would continue on Christmas Day to help ease congestion.

Traffic was moving faster in the Eurotunnel, with around 2,000 trucks scheduled to depart yesterday.

Duncan Buchanan, Policy Director for the Road Haulage Association, said: “The most reassuring thing is that food is coming to Manston, and I have a lot to thank everyone who volunteered to help drivers weather cold conditions. . in the days leading up to Christmas. “