Thousands of Lorries Stuck in Kent Chaos on Christmas Day
Extra help is being rushed to Kent to tackle a massive backlog of nearly 6,000 lorries, coaches, and vehicles stranded after France slammed its border shut. Drivers have been trapped for days, running dangerously low on fuel, food, and water as freezing conditions bite.
Drivers Face Gruelling Checks and Freezing Waits
All drivers must test negative for Covid-19 before boarding trains or ferries, with tests running round the clock. The military has boosted testing staff in Kent to around 1,100 personnel.
Operations including Operation Stack, Dover Tap, and Sandwich Tap are in full swing to manage the chaos.
Police & Foreign Troops Join the Battle
Four police forces from the Met, West Mercia, Hampshire, and West Midlands have been drafted in to control the situation. Even French firefighters are pitching in to help with testing.
The Polish Defence Minister announced a team of territorial army soldiers is also heading to Kent to aid the effort.
Grant Shapps Reports Low Covid Positives, But One-Way Ferry Service Only
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that, by midday on Christmas Eve, only three out of 2,367 tested drivers recorded positive results.
Ferry services will continue over Christmas but only operate one-way from Dover to France, leaving thousands stuck on UK soil for now.
