Britain’s airfield becomes the largest truck stop in the world, while drivers remain stranded at the French border

While many stay at home during the pandemic, tThe world of trucks is rolling. Sunday evening, France has announced closing its borders with the United Kingdom to prevent the spread of a more contagious strain of COVID-19. Thousands of truckers were stranded in the Dover port of the English Channel. Now, as a travel ban was raised, the massive queue of trucks may begin to shrink.

The BBC reports about 2,850 trucks have been blocked since the border closed. The Port of Dover handles about 10,000 trucks a day or about 20% of UK trade. The trucks were redirected to nearby Manston Airport during the border stop. The airport was ready to hold 4,000 trucks, and the views of the waiting trucks are absolutely stunning. From Net AIRLIVE YouTube channel:

For comparison, the famous Iowa 80 Truckstop – nicknamed the largest truck stop in the world – owns only 900 trucks.

Under an agreement between the United Kingdom and France, the borders have been reopened for people traveling to France for urgent reasons. However, as part of the agreement, passengers must have received a negative COVID-19 test less than 72 hours before crossing. Drivers receive quick side-flow tests – which can detect the new strain – to get a quick 30-minute result. The new strain is reported to be more contagious, but not more deadly. It seems that experts believe that the vaccine launched will be effective against this new strain.

The congestion in the ports is not expected to leave soon and some truckers expect to miss Christmas because of this. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps warned truckers not to drive in Kent until further notice via the BBC:

I am glad that we have made this important progress with our French counterparts tonight. Through this protocol, the French border will be reopened to those traveling for urgent reasons, provided they have a certified negative Covid test.

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We continue to urge carriers not to travel to Kent until further notice as we work to alleviate port congestion.

Meanwhile, the trucks help each other to spend their nights sleeping in cabins, sending each other food and water. Services at the airport truck station appear to be poor, with toilets even closed.

I still haven’t lifted my jaw off the floor, but it could be worse. China had traffic jams that lasted almost two weeks!

We hope I can get back on the road and maybe home to enjoy the holidays, safe, healthy and without spreading the virus.