Blockade appeal
Page 6
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THE INTERNATIONAL Road Transport Union has appealed to lorry drivers not to stop private cars from using roads.
News of the appeal follows a blockade of the Mont Blanc tunnel last week and a 3,000 vehicle block at the Irun border point between France and Spain.
IRU says that the situation at Irun is worsening by the hour, and already tons of foodstuffs are rotting on the vehicles.
And IRU has appealed to all governments involved to reach a solution to the problems so that the traffic can move again.
But it is likely to be some time after the re-opening of the roads before the massive jams disappear.
Drivers blocking the roads are said to be protesting over the allocation of international haulage permits and increased tolls.
The Mont Blanc tunnel toll has been increased from £52.50 (Fr 420) to £60 (Fr 480), but negotiations were in progress in Rome this week to try to settle the dispute.