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Thousands of international truck drivers seem ready to spend Christmas Day locked in their taxis on the English Channel border as they move slowly to return hauliers home to their loved ones.
Britain’s Transport Minister Grant Shapps said hundreds of soldiers would be deployed to assist in the repatriation operation in Kent after French coronavirus restrictions introduced following the discovery of a rapidly spreading mutant Covid-19 strain. in the UK they caused serious disruption to the port of Dover.
About 700 carriers have been cleared for departure since the borders reopened on Wednesday, and a chorus of horns sounded in the Port of Dover on Christmas Eve as those at the front of the queue celebrated finally being able to leave.
Yet around 5,000 are still unable to make it 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 Dover itself.
Some have already spent nearly a week stranded due to the diplomatic stalemate.
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 military to take over the testing and management of heavy vehicles in the county. Our goal is to get the foreign carriers home to their families as soon 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.
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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 brought in to take over the testing and sorting of trucks to eliminate the delay.
The British government said catering vans would be brought in to 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 in the M20.
A spokesperson for the Port of Dover said ferry services would continue to operate today to help alleviate congestion.
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