THE BLOCKADE of Calais continued for the ninth day yesterday as angry truck drivers spoke of their frustration with the French government for not intervening to end the stalemate. As many as 300 trucks are stranded at the port.
Hundreds of British, German and French truck drivers are blockaded into the port, stretching for one mile. Some Irish drivers say their frustration will force them to travel back to Britain via Zeebrugge, a journey they say is unnecessary.
Despite an air of solidarity among the French truckers, many foreign drivers say they cannot understand why they must suffer for what is an internal dispute.
The French have three main demands: a lower retirement age, payment for waiting time while they deliver goods, and reduced fuel prices. The basic wage for truck drivers in France is £300 to £350 a week, and contributions to tax and welfare benefits are among the highest in Europe.
The reaction to the blockade from British foot passengers waiting to take the ferry from Calais to Dover last night was one of conditional sympathy for the truck drivers. Many did not agree that British truckers should lose their earnings while goods perished in their lorries but said they did respect a person's right to strike.
One woman said: "I think it's disgusting really. I think the French government should step in and do something about the situation, but I wouldn't agree with the riot police coming in and getting heavy-handed with the men.
While the majority of truck drivers have accepted their lot, there have been isolated scenes of tension between French and British truckers. Most spend the day in the port's cafe, where they have been given complimentary meal tickets by the port authorities. Here they sit together, play snooker, smoke cigarettes and wait for news from Paris that the strike is over.
Mr Paul Shaw from Glasgow, who has been in Calais since Sunday, said frustration was the main cause of arguments. "Most of us have tried to talk to the French truckers but some of them Just the strike. I am impressed by the solidarity among the French truckers and I wish it could be the same with us. In a similar situation, I don't think British truckers would be as united," he said.
Following deterioration in talks between the truckers and their union, petrol stations across France have responded by rationing diesel. Eight petrol stations around Cahors, in central France, have been ordered to serve petrol only to local customers.
Such reactions serve only to frustrate drivers, said Mr Shaw. He said: "Of course, we have sympathy for the French, but there comes a point when you think I've had enough and I want to get out of here and get back to my family.