NEXT move on time deliveries from Calais

[bobk]

Even if the UK ports wave everything through, Lord Wolfson concedes that the government cannot influence what will happen on the other side. He said that Next had moved all its imports and exports out of Calais to other ports.
There will be some who will say that redirecting all your business away from Calais does not square with being confident that all will go smoothly.
He did concede that at bottlenecks like Calais, there was a chance that smaller companies without the right preparation could cause a big problem by getting in the way of everyone else. If that was the case, we would need to get them out of the way - sending them back to the EU empty if necessary.

 

[Danllan]

Even if the UK ports wave everything through, Lord Wolfson concedes that the government cannot influence what will happen on the other side. He said that Next had moved all its imports and exports out of Calais to other ports.
There will be some who will say that redirecting all your business away from Calais does not square with being confident that all will go smoothly.
He did concede that at bottlenecks like Calais, there was a chance that smaller companies without the right preparation could cause a big problem by getting in the way of everyone else. If that was the case, we would need to get them out of the way - sending them back to the EU empty if necessary.

I have heard and seen several interviews with the Mayor of Calais and it's Port Manager, both have repeatedly said that there won't be any hold-ups down to them and what's happening in Calais itself, but that they had no say in what happens beyond there - this was a pointed reference to President Macron.

If the Calais lot do find their central government being difficult and that they lose business to Rotterdam, Antwerp etc. as a result, there will - I suspect - be an almighty political row about it.

 

[bobk]

I have heard and seen several interviews with the Mayor of Calais and it's Port Manager, both have repeatedly said that there won't be any hold-ups down to them and what's happening in Calais itself, but that they had no say in what happens beyond there - this was a pointed reference to President Macron.

If the Calais lot do find their central government being difficult and that they lose business to Rotterdam, Antwerp etc. as a result, there will - I suspect - be an almighty political row about it.

The problem is ports and airports are effectively run by the Douanes , they make or break the system .

 

[Mek]

The Maire of Calais and the port manager will have about as much control over the whole process as the Mayor of Dover would.

 

[bobk]

The Maire of Calais and the port manager will have about as much control over the whole process as the Mayor of Dover would.

Macron will get his finger out when they're queuing back to Rouen .

 

[Exfarmer]

Macron will get his finger out when they're queuing back to Rouen .

Yes and it will be

 

[rob1]

when Ive travelled through the channel tunnel the french customs are in folkestone and the uk ones in calais, so why should there be queues in france, I cant see us holding stuff up, now if the french want to make a point on behalf of the eu political leaders then the queues will be in england, unless of course the French want to STOP SELLING us stuff

 

[bobk]

when Ive travelled through the channel tunnel the french customs are in folkestone and the uk ones in calais, so why should there be queues in france, I cant see us holding stuff up, now if the french want to make a point on behalf of the eu political leaders then the queues will be in england, unless of course the French want to STOP SELLING us stuff

Not entirely correct , in Dover you have British customs and french passport control . jn calais it's t'other way round

 

[Exfarmer]

when Ive travelled through the channel tunnel the french customs are in folkestone and the uk ones in calais, so why should there be queues in france, I cant see us holding stuff up, now if the french want to make a point on behalf of the eu political leaders then the queues will be in england, unless of course the French want to STOP SELLING us stuff

You are of course correct, the French will be going through lorries with a fine tooth comb at Folkestone, while UK customs in Calais will be drinking tea in the mess hut

 

[bobk]

You are of course correct, the French will be going through lorries with a fine tooth comb at Folkestone, while UK customs in Calais will be drinking tea in the mess hut

Wrong

 

[caveman]

Don't forget.
The ferries and trains won't be going one way empty.

 

[Exfarmer]

Wrong

Whereever it will be the French who do the checking and ensure the lengthy hold up for British Exporters and truckers. The uK authorities would not dream of any such Mischeiveness.
We will continue to import all manner of ****

 

[Exfarmer]

Don't forget.
The ferries and trains won't be going one way empty.

They do now!

 

[bobk]

Whereever it will be the French who do the checking and ensure the lengthy hold up for British Exporters and truckers. The uK authorities would not dream of any such Mischeiveness.
We will continue to import all manner of ****

Without doubt , that's why the tunnel is as dead as a dodo .

 

[Danllan]

The Maire of Calais and the port manager will have about as much control over the whole process as the Mayor of Dover would.

My understanding is that French Mayors have significantly more power and influence than those here in the UK.

 

[ollie989898]

Without doubt , that's why the tunnel is as dead as a dodo .

Tunnel hasn't wiped it's own face and probably never will I understand?

 

[Mek]

My understanding is that French Mayors have significantly more power and influence than those here in the UK.

French Maires do not have the same power as they used to have, and it is fairly localised to their own communes. They have very little sway over national or governmental policy.

 

[rob1]

Tunnel hasn't wiped it's own face and probably never will I understand?

Wouldnt consider any other way of crossing the channel, roll up get on and drive off the other end, might cost a few pennies more but it isnt half the hastle or waste of time ferries are

 

[arcobob]

My experience of French mayors in small rural communities is that thy are a throwback to the feudal system. They certainly seemed to serve a useful purpose in keeping the community together, helping root out disruptive elements and making sure that kids went to school. I think the mayor of Calais was commenting on his take on the state of affairs in which he would have an in depth knowledge but little influence.

 

[Danllan]

French Maires do not have the same power as they used to have, and it is fairly localised to their own communes. They have very little sway over national or governmental policy.

I simply don't know enough about French constitutional matters and domestic politics to comment further than I have. However, the Calais Commune covers the relevant area we are discussing, and 'swaying' government policy is not the same as embarrassing a government.