French claims can go in
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• British hauliers awaiting compensation from the French for the November blockade can now submit claims forms.
Copies of the forms can be obtained from the international road freight office of the Department of Transport, 76 Marsham St, London SW113 4DR. Members of the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association can also obtain them from their associations.
Completed forms should be sent to the DOT, or to the FTA or RHA by their members, together with supporting evidence. The French have agreed that claims may be made in English and statements from the French police will not be needed. The police generally refused to give statements to British hauliers during the dispute.
The French have given few promises, other than to say they will consider claims from any business that has suffered loss as a direct result of the dispute.
After claims have been received by the DOT, FTA or RI-IA they will be forwarded to whichever of the 75 French regions (prefectures) vehicles were held up in. For vehicles blocked at several points, claims will be submitted to the region in which they were first blocked.
Insiders warn that it will take at least four months for claims to be processed.