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Hauliers' relief at the lifting of Operation Stack on the M20 last week after blockades by French fishermen was short-lived as rumours spread that strikes by French truck drivers were on the cards. As CM went to press, no-one was able to confirm if action would be taking place, or the days on which disgruntled truck drivers would be staging any strikes.

However, coming just days after fishermen and then public transport workers brought much of the M20 to a standstill through their actions  across the Channel, concern was once again growing about the slowdown in freight movements. By Friday, a spokesman for Dover port was announcing that operations were back to normal after Kent police lifted the lorry stacking initiative on the M20 between junctions eight and nine during the early hours of the morning.

However, he added that if action was taken this week by French drivers who are angry at the cost of fuel, it would be difficult to keep UK drivers moving through the port: "There's little else we can do because the traffic will come to Dover whatever, because of the nature of the port operation. Truckers won't be diverted to other ports, not the majority anyway." Peter Cullum, head of international affairs at the Road Haulage Association (RHA) says it had only heard rumours "but that doesn't mean they are not correct". Kent police said they were unaware of any strike action.