Updated / Wednesday, 23 Dec 2020
22:22
One man was arrested after trying to obstruct the road in Dover
Britain has warned it may take a few days to clear the backlog of around 4,000 lorries waiting to cross the Channel.
A man has been arrested after lorry drivers stranded by the French travel ban clashed with police in Kent.
More than 5,000 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are being held in the southeast of England, with drivers being tested for Covid-19 before they are allowed into France.
There were reports of disturbances at Dover and at the lorry holding facility in Manston involving those waiting to cross the Channel this morning, Kent Police said.
Lorry drivers clash with police in Dover after Grant Shapps warns congestion might not be eased until Christmas April Roach
Frustrated lorry drivers have clashed with police in Dover after France agreed to ease its travel ban.
Thousands of lorries have been stuck at the port since Sunday when France announced it was shutting the border to prevent the spread of a mutated strain of coronavirus from reaching the European country.
The Army has been deployed to help carry out mass testing of the drivers in Kent, but Transport Secretary Grant Shapps warned it could take until Christmas for congestion to be relieved near ports.
France confirms easing of travel ban for some UK travellers
The travel ban will be eased from Wednesday
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FEARS over Brits having a final New Year s Eve blowout before more of England is plunged into lockdown has sparked a Tier review U-turn.
The review was set to take place on December 30, but fears New Years parties may be harder to police on the eve of another major lockdown means the clampdown could come as soon as tomorrow, the Sun has learnt.
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There are fears parties might be harder to police on the eve of another major lockdownCredit: AFP or licensors
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Ministers and medics met on Tuesday night after the new Covid strain was detected everywhere , including in the parts of the South West, Midlands and the North - areas all currently in Tier 2 or 3.
The European Commission recommended a joint approach from EU members after individual countries imposed emergency restrictions.
The most dramatic action came from France, which closed its border to lorries crossing the Channel, leading to more than 2,800 HGVs being trapped in Kent.
The EU-wide approach recommended by the commission would allow essential travel, and transit of passengers should be facilitated.
Flight and train bans “should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions”, the commission said.
EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders said: “Member states should take co-ordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU.”