Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Monday, 21 December 2020

BBC News

• Covid: Border police patrols to double after travel banMore officers are deployed but there are no plans for checkpoints or road blocks.

Financial Times

• Courier companies deliver as they take up Christmas challengeVast hiring spree and deployment of thousands of extra vans have helped groups cope with flood of online orders

The Guardian

• France's ban on UK transport came as surprise, says Grant ShappsTransport secretary says UK aims to resolve issue ‘as soon as possible’ amid fears over new Covid strain
• Covid chaos disrupts Kent ports as France bans UK freightBoris Johnson to hold Cobra meeting on Monday after hauliers told to avoid Kent ports ‘until further notice’ Miles of lorry queues and travel chaos were expected across Kent on Monday morning after France announced a 48-hour ban on passengers and freight entering from the UK.The prime minister, Boris Johnson, is to chair a Cobra meeting on Monday that will address “the steady flow of freight into and out of the UKâ€�, a number 10 spokesperson said, amid expected significant disruption at ports in the south-east. Continue reading...

The Huffington Post

• Police Scotland 'Double Presence' On Border Amid Strict New Coronavirus Rules
• Eurotunnel Suspends Access To Folkestone Terminal As France Restricts Travel From UK

The Independent

• Covid news – live: Johnson to hold crisis talks over France freight ban amid fears of Christmas food shortagesFollow for the latest updates about the pandemic

Times Online

• Coronavirus in Scotland: Police patrols to deter lockdown breaches at border [Subscription]Police patrols along the border with England are to be doubled after the announcement of tighter coronavirus restrictions.
• Europe shuts door on Britain over fears of mutant virus [Subscription]• Countries ban UK travellers as Covid cases rise by 50% in a week • Health secretary admits new strain is ‘out of control’

City AM

• Shapps claims ‘this is not unusual’ ahead of emergency Cobra meeting on DoverBoris Johson will hold a meeting with the government’s emergency committee this morning after France closed its border with the UK following a new, more infectious strain of coronavirus in the South East of England.

Daily Express

• M20 CLOSED: Traffic for miles as borders SHUT on UK - Operation Stack activatedFOLLOWING the closure of the Channel Tunnel and the Port of Dover due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, operation stack has been implement.

The Mirror

• Hauliers urged to avoid Kent ports after France closes border as pics show chaosOperation Stack means part of the coastbound M20 in Kent is being used to stack lorries due to cross channel travel restrictions after France announced an inbound travel ban for at least 48hrs

Sky News

• Emergency talks to prevent Christmas food shortages after freight hit by border closuresBoris Johnson is holding emergency talks to avert Christmas food shortages after France banned freight and travel from the UK.

Other Regional Press

• Cobra meeting over gridlock fearsPrime Minister Boris Johnson is to hold an emergency Cobra meeting in the morning after France's decision to halt travel from the UK amid Covid fears.
• Operation Stack launched amid traffic chaos fearsOperation Stack has been launched amid fears of major problems on Kent's roads caused by the French travel ban.