Lorry drivers

[saundra]

I feel so sorry for them stranded
And it's not there fault
Isent the site supposed to be for future overspile for trucks next year
Yet there are no proper wash facilities or toilets
Place to eat or keep warm
Absolutely disgusting of the government to let them stay in these conditions

[Workingman]

I read that a Sikh charity had supplied 800 hot meals and a local football club had give out 200 pizzas - both handed out water and drinks.

It shows that we do rally round when we need to.

As you say, Saundra, it is not their fault and a lot more could be done officially to keep them fed, watered and warm.

[saundra]

Yes the sikh community do an amazing work that is not recognise d
Let's hope they get things moving fast for these drivers but think it will be a while before it's sorted

[Workingman]

An ex BiL was a long distance driver to Europe and a lot of the cabs in the larger tractor units are decked out like mini camper vans, but not all, especially on the rigids.

[Kaz]

I agree Saundra, it's disgraceful

[Workingman]

I cannot believe what I am hearing and seeing.

I understand how difficult it will be to move lorries on the M20 where they are parked nose to tail. The holding area at dover, already packed, will fill slowly as ferries can only take about 120 lorries and they take time to load and sail. It only takes a few positive tests for the whole thing to keep jamming up as there is little space to move them to.

Manston airfield is a different matter and it all looks and sounds wrong. Testing stopped at 10 pm last night as there was only one person doing tests and their shift finished. What? The other problem is how the lorries are stacked - nose to tail and side by side - line after line.

The military would have done it differently. It would have been driveway - two lines side by side - driveway - two lines side by side - driveway and so on. There would have been space front and rear to allow a lorry to exit the line and drive to another holding area if there was a positive test. It's not as though the space is limited.

It's no wonder there is friction and scuffles.

[medsec222]

I hope these poor lorry drivers manage to get moving very soon. They must be going through a hellish time and I hope their ordeal does not last much longer.

[Workingman]

Over 2,300 tests carried out with only three positive. I am finding it difficult to understand why the ferries and sailing slots are not maxed out to help shift the backlog. Getting information is nigh on impossible.

During high season P&O and DFDS between them do about 30 sailings every 24hrs - more than enough to cope in an emergency.