Dover: 25-hour delays block drivers from delivering fresh produce
Delays of up to 25 hours are blocking drivers from delivering fresh produce to Europe on time
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.UK hauliers have said perishable goods are losing quality as congestion around Dover has led to delays of up to 25 hours.
A combination of Easter holiday demand, bad weather and the suspension of P&O Ferries routes have led to drivers being forced to sit in long queues.
Now, companies who take fresh produce from the UK to Europe want to prioritise the delivery of food that have a short shelf life.
Graham Eardley, company director of Eardley International who take fresh meat into Europe, told the BBC: “If we load lamb in the UK on a Monday, we’d expect to deliver that product to Germany on a Tuesday.
“Now we are seeing delays of 20 to 25 hours to cross the Channel, and the quality and the sale value of that product falls by every hour it is delayed.”
The delay is extended further by haulier regulations which say drivers must take an 11-hour break when they reach Calais as they cannot sufficiently rest while in a traffic jam.
It comes as people travelling to France via the Channel Tunnel were advised to bring food and drink to keep them going in lengthy queues at Dover.
According to the British Meat Processors Association, some members have had to wait for over 24 hours to cross, causing meat and other perishables to go bad.
Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, said the UK was losing business because of the delays as customers have been sourcing goods from other countries instead.
As well as the produce losing value, the companies who send hauliers over are seeing a loss of up to £800 per truck as they have to pay for the driver to sit in the traffic jam.
They also face surcharges of late delivery fees and reduced quality of the goods due to the delays.
The Kent Resilience Forum said they are waiting for the government to advise them on who would be prioritised in the queue – if any at all.
Speaking to the BBC, Toby Howe, the tactical lead for the forum, said: “It is not as simple as saying we will just fast-track meat or anything perishable.”
In response, the Department for Transport said the traffic management measures were regularly reviewed and said P&O’s “unacceptable actions” of sacking nearly 800 seafarers without notice are responsible for the traffic jams, as reported by the BBC.
P&O said it plans to resume operations on the Dover-Calais route next week pending regulatory approval
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments