to be concerned that there appears to be no relief effort for the lorry drivers around Dover?

[MyNameIsArthur]

just that really. I am worried that they are not being provided with hot food, drinks and toilet facilities while stuck on the motorway and parking areas near Dover. It must be awful for them

They are being provided with hot meals and drinks by charities. It was on the news earlier.

It’s awful. One of the charities here:

twitter.com/khalsa_aid/status/1341393418291998723?s=21

I read somewhere that the local Sikh community have now stepped up to arrange food etc but YANBU OP, the government should have been there yesterday.

The Sikh Community have excelled themselves again with the meals and drinks they have provided. I do agree some portaloos might come in handy.

Yes, lack of toilets and showers is unacceptable if we want to consider ourselves a civilised country. Well done to the Sikh community and anyone else helping out with food.

Khalsa aid doing an amazing job yet again. A little known aspect of Sikhism is their amazing commitment to looking after all of those in need. I had one of my most memorable meal in a gudwara and they would not accept a penny in return.

Well done to the Sikh community but the truckers need a lot more than food.

Well done to the Sikh community but it is terrible that they have to do it. This situation was meant to be planned for ready for Brexit so why wasn't the site fitted out with the amenities the drivers will need?

Bloody well done to the Sikh community. Not the first time I've noticed how promptly they swing into action. There's one group that puts their money when their mouth is, when it comes to fulfilling simple, immediate needs in a straightforward and common sense way, without any extra nonsense or virtue signalling

YANBU OP. I was appalled to see it all on the news this morning and was going on about it all to anyone who would listen today.

One cereal bar each, the Kent authorities managed to rustle up apparently.

Those poor sods. If they were docs and nurses everyone would be up in arms. Lorry drivers (delivering everything we use - from food and meds to xmas presents) - no one seems to care!

This situation was meant to be planned for ready for Brexit so why wasn't the site fitted out with the amenities the drivers will need?

To provide a timely reality check on how reckless a no deal Brexit would truly be?

I think I saw on the BBC it said facilities were being built for February 2021.

I do agree it’s terrible that they haven’t been provided with anything; but surely it is the responsibilities of their employers to sort them out? If any other group of people was trapped abroad on a business trip, you wouldn’t expect the local government to step in, you’d expect the employers to sort it out.

Don’t get me wrong, the drivers absolutely need food/drink and amenities (showers/laundry) and I’m glad charities have stepped up to fill the gaps.

@Mamamia456 I didnt hear that on the news but am pleased something is being done. Trying to feed etc 3000 lorry drivers will be a challenge

A lot of them are self employed Dyrne. They are sitting in their own vehicles and they're not getting payed for it. There is no one to sort them out. (such is life for the SE).

YANBU

Anyone who thinks YABU has clearly forgotten how much we all rely on these drivers

Fantastic to hear the Sikh community has stepped in once again with food though

It would also be nice if they stopped fining drivers for stopping in lay-bys and hard shoulders when they need a legal break

Haulage companies can’t really be expected to maintain facilities for unknown numbers of drivers in every port just in case. Yes they should arrange for emergency accommodation in hotels, but the article I read on BBC news said hotels etc were now full because of the numbers of stranded hotel's.

These aren’t people here on a jolly, they’re people delivering all kinds of vital supplies who we depend on. And if we treat them badly now, they may decide they don’t want to risk it happening again, especially with brexit looming, so drivers won’t want to come to the UK. Or costs of transporting goods To the uk will increase to cover the risk of drivers getting stuck, and therefore unable to do other jobs.

I agree OP, I feel really sorry for them.
Are there queues in Calais for those bringing produce into the UK?

DP should have been going to France yesterday but his company decided to delay till after Christmas. There are all different types of drivers from long distance HGV1 drivers with well equipped cabs to short journeys with a simple wash bag. Once in the queues the employers would have great difficulty calling them back and many of the employers are the other side of the channel. DP transports hazardous goods. He cannot leave his lorry unattended, so accommodation is pointless. Feel really sorry for the self employed drivers.

You are right Brighterthan. We need to show some goodwill and kindness and follow the Sikh example

Why are Kent council being blamed for a situation which is not their fault?
If Boris "last minute" Johnson was capable of any strategic thinking he would have anticipated that France would close the border and not announced a "new COVID strain", which scientists have been warning about about for months, on the Saturday before Christmas. (He
should also have cancelled the trains).

Luckily local charities have stepped in now to help the drivers and the EU is telling France getting them home quickly should be a priority.

My old man used to do European work, he would always take enough food, drinks etc to last a week, i imagine alot of the drivers will do the same!

Kent council certainly shouldn’t have to pay.

@whatdoidonowffs

It would also be nice if they stopped fining drivers for stopping in lay-bys and hard shoulders when they need a legal break

They are fined f they have parked dangerously or illegally, this is the same for everyone.one Locals are doing what they can in a tier 4 lock down. They have had offers from lots of people, burger vans are out giving free food too. Don't believe all the tripe you hear on the news There is a lot of support for them. Their anger should be directed towards the French government

Was about to post about Khalsa aid, I think from Gravesend, where I work. Amazing charity.
But yes, it's sad when charities have to step up in this ridiculous situation.