Calais Calamity

Despite recent efforts to disband migrant camps in Calais, attacks on truckers headed for the UK are worsening – and news of more camps on the way can only make the situation worse.

- Richard Burnett, RHA

The issue of migrants at Calais, driven by sheer desperation to reach UK shores, whatever the cost, is not new. Migrants were found hiding in the back of HGVs back in the late ’90s – many driven to such desperate measures as a result of events in the Middle East.

Since day one, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has been working really hard to bring this issue to the public’s attention, as well as both governments on either side of the Channel establishing excellent working relationships with all of the key stakeholders, including the cross Channel transport operators.

It’s a fact the RHA is the only transport trade body to visit Calais and the surrounding area – including the migrant camps on a regular basis feeding intelligence back to both Border Force and the Home Office. The Association is constantly engaging with French government officials to try and get more policing in place. We remain adamant the migrants must be removed.

The RHA played a fundamental part in influencing the demolition of the migrant ‘Jungle’ in October last year through its close relationship with Xavier Bertrand, the president of the Calais region, and subsequently became the only British association that met interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve and his office in Calais to agree the camp’s closure.

Another issue of major importance is the civil penalty regime, whereby hauliers are fined if migrants are found onboard their trucks. This needs urgent review and overhaul as the regime is now outdated, recognising the approaches migrants and traffickers are taking so close to the French ports. The RHA is pushing for a better deal for those innocent hauliers and drivers who are unfairly penalised.

Desperate measures