A van driver was killed in Calais after migrants created a road block made from tree trunks to help them mount lorries heading for the UK. The truck crashed into a tailback and then burst into flames after it was forced to stop. Should the French government take appropriate action against the migrants who obstructed the van on the A16?

It is a regular occurrence where Migrants adopt the tactic of throwing large objects into the road, with the intention of creeping into the back of vans and trucks when they are brought to a stand still.

“This has brought the issue of migrants targeting drivers in Calais to the fore once again. FTA warned two years ago that their actions would lead to a death and it is now imperative that the French government takes action to control the situation and ensure the safety of drivers travelling to and from the port,” said Free Trade Agreement Manager, Chris Yarsley.

“Major roads around Calais must be effectively policed to prevent migrants creating these dangerous road blocks. Authorities must do more to detain migrants and move them away from the area. The situation for our members improved after the Jungle camp was cleared at the end of last year but we have had reports that problems are returning to the area. Indeed, several rest stops have been closed to truck drivers because of issues with migrants.”

“Driver safety is paramount and the French government needs to step up patrols on the major routes and move on migrants who are camped at the side of the road. This tragic incident demonstrates the risks to drivers and other road users, including day trippers and tourists. This death was wholly preventable and we must ensure that no-one else dies as a result of the dangerous actions of migrants on the roads.”

After the demolition of the  the notorious “Jungle” shanty town in Calais, you’d be forgiven for thinking that France’s migrant crisis was over. In October around 10,000 people were evacuated from the ‘Jungle’ forcing migrants to leave for centres across France, although 500 have returned and are now living within wasteland assembling illegal camps.

Something clearly needs to change to prevent more deaths happening under such terrible circumstances, with UK taxpayers still paying £1million a week to tackle the Calais crisis – how are we spending this money, and why are people still dying?

If action isn’t taken the situation is likely to get worse, with our current relaxed-like approach maybe another 500 will be trying to gain access to the English borders – if that proves successful only more and more will feel the need to try their luck in the coming summer months, causing dangerous roads for all drivers heading for the UK.