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• The re-opening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel has been
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postponed yet again amid growing fears that truck drivers will barricade it if HGVs are banned from using the route. December's opening fell back to March after surveyors noticed cracks across the tunnel ceiling. It will have been shut for three years since the fatal 1909 fire; repairs could cost £300m.
But only light vehicles will be able to use the 11.6km tunnel when it first reopens, and highly polluting trucks and vehicles carrying dangerous goods will be banned long term, says the Freight Transport Association. "If HGVs are not allowed through the tunnel in the near future there could be barricades by road hauliers." says Don Armour, FA's manager for international services.
"The French and Italians are so volatile. Italian drivers are really stressed, but the French don't want lorries through their green alpine villages."