French lorry drivers strike in December (1 Viewer)

[Jenka]

As you say that was a few years ago. With the massive shortage of LGV drivers these days that kind of threat wouldn't carry any weight. Not condoning strike action, just saying.

It's not so much getting drivers ,it's getting quality HGV drivers and the rates for hauliers is so low you just can't pay an above average wage. Back to the topic there is only a small percentage of owner drivers and small hauliers in the UK so can't really make an impact or afford to strike because the big logistics firms will just absorb the costs and take more work off them.

 

[tuscancouple]

For those of you travelling to/through France, here's the lastest update on fuel from yesterday.

Many petrol stations have run out of fuel due to protests over plans to end a tax break for fuel used on building sites – Brittany is especially affected.





As this map organised by local Breton newspaper Le Télégramme shows, most of the petrol stations in the region have run out of all or some kinds of fuel (red indicates no fuel, orange indicates only certain kinds, and black means the station still has fuel).

From: https://www.connexionfrance.com/Fre...cross-France-due-to-diesel-tax-break-protests

Mick

 

[gus-lopez]

To be on the safe side I'll have to buy another jerry can I know I can run right through France but the unknown is now having roof bars & a box on. Annoying when I have 2 at home on the back of the MH.

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[42208]

I was near St Malo this morning, tried 4 stations couldn't get fuel, managed to get into Normandy on the remaining fumes and was able to fill up on the motorway, for once I didn't mind the additional cost. Of the 4 stations two had petrol but no diesel the other two had nothing.

 

[Minxy]

Not sure what to do now! Our Globecar had a long range 120 litre fuel tank, but our Carthago only has the standard 90 litre ... I've shoved a fuel can in with 5 litres of diesel in just in case but that's not gonna be enough to get us through France.

 

[Chickie]

Get over I'm sure you will find somewhere we filled up in Ruffec yesterday if you get stuck in France it ain't bad is it.

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[Minxy]

Get over I'm sure you will find somewhere we filled up in Ruffec yesterday if you get stuck in France it ain't bad is it.

Oh we are definitely going to 'get over' ... other than a short stop at a MH show in October (which cost us a lot of money as we bought a new MH we didn't intend to!) we haven't been away since early January so NOT going is not an option ... we love France but it's not necessarily the best place for warmer weather ...

 

[bigtwin]

Not sure what to do now! Our Globecar had a long range 120 litre fuel tank, but our Carthago only has the standard 90 litre ... I've shoved a fuel can in with 5 litres of diesel in just in case ....

Buy a 20 litre Jerry can! We’re carrying two of those, a 10 litre and two 5 litre cans with us! And we average only about 22mpg!

I've shoved a fuel can in with 5 litres of diesel in just in case but that's not gonna be enough to get us through France.

It will if you go via Belgium

Ian

 

[Speve]

We have just come down through France started Sunday no problems at all didn’t see any signs of shortages either? crossed into Spain this morning price of diesel is a lot better here.?

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[Minxy]

Buy a 20 litre Jerry can! We’re carrying two of those, a 10 litre and two 5 litre cans with us! And we average only about 22mpg!

Funnily enough I was having this very discussion with hubby as we also have a 20 litre one which we could use too ... its not the cost of the fuel, its not being able to get it that's a concern, now that we've uprated the rear axle we can carry the extra weight, its just whether we need to.

 

[bigtwin]

Funnily enough I was having this very discussion with hubby as we also have a 20 litre one which we could use too ... its not the cost of the fuel, its not being able to get it that's a concern, now that we've uprated the rear axle we can carry the extra weight, its just whether we need to.

You will only know the answer to that when you’re in France and your tank is nearing empty after unsuccessfully trying a few fuel stations.

Would you have more regrets taking it with you and not needing it or leaving it behind when it might have helped?

Ian

 

[R1guy]

@Minxy Girl, you could avoid most of France. Go via germany, Switzerland then italy. one tank should get you past the French med coast down into spain. not ideal just an idea

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[Minxy]

You will only know the answer to that when you’re in France and your tank is nearing empty after unsuccessfully trying a few fuel stations.

Would you have more regrets taking it with you and not needing it or leaving it behind when it might have helped?

Ian

Yup, I know ... I just don't like carrying fuel inside (albeit in the garage), will make the decision on Saturday when we do the final packing.

 

[Casper46]

Eurotunnel have restrictions on the amount of spare fuel that can be carried. We have never been asked or searched on the way out, but not sure if they are really bothered. We always carry a couple of gallon. We also have a tank full stored in France, just in case.

 

[Casper46]

Just checked on Eurotunnel site.
Maximum size - 10 litres - max quantity 3 off
Maximum size - 20 litres - max quantity 1 off.
No more than 30 litres in total.

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[2657]

Avoid France completely............breaking news..........BF operate ferry services direct to Spain

 

[wiljoy]

Rang my insurer regards carrying extra fuel.
NO was the very polite answer.

 

[Pete5996]

The fuel problems seem to be largely confined to north and west France so if you're travelling down through the middle you shouldn't have any problems. A full tank at the Channel should get most MHs south of Paris.
Here is a website showing stations affected - not the best presentation but you'll get the idea

Fuel stations map

An app for your phone, Essence&Co, provides the same info but detail is better.

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[42208]

Forget fuel, where is France today? Just drove up from Utah beach to Calais and the roads are empty, very spooky

 

[42208]

Apologies meant Omaha beach

 

[Sheddy]

Delayed flight from Alicante today due to French Air traffic controllers.

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[rangi]

Yup, I know ... I just don't like carrying fuel inside (albeit in the garage), will make the decision on Saturday when we do the final packing.

Don't forget to pack a funnel as well

 

[Minxy]

Don't forget to pack a funnel as well

Already in ... along with separate funnels/pipes for oil, water etc as being an a-class it's not that easy to get at!

 

[Minxy]

Avoid France completely............breaking news..........BF operate ferry services direct to Spain

No ta, ET for us every time ... with 3 dogs one of whom is terrified of ferries it's the only way we can travel over (or under) the water.

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[Minxy]

Forget fuel, where is France today? Just drove up from Utah beach to Calais and the roads are empty, very spooky

There's a national strike due to the change in pension age, people from all employment types are out on strike because of it.

 

[Allanm]

We’re travelling up from Jura towards Belgium, currently west of Dijon. We filled up this afternoon with Diesel and GPL near Macon. Haven’t seen any shortages or queues at any garages.
I know Brittany is almost out of fuel, so I would imagine the shortages will be spreading eastwards. Luckily, we keep away from the common routes south so don’t worry about fuel shortages.

 

[Charente16]

The 'local rag' reports 'pumps are dry' here in the Charente but after driving 74kms return to go shopping, the joys of living in 'France Profunde'. The N10 is as busy as usual with a good proportion of French trucks, along with the ubiquitous Spanish and Portugese. The 'Total' garage in Angouleme was operating normally and the 'Auchan' S/Station was having a delivery of fuel.

There was a 'Demonstration' up in Angouleme town with the usual culprits, but nothing that would disturb through traffic.

Robert

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[busby]

Get over I'm sure you will find somewhere we filled up in Ruffec yesterday if you get stuck in France it ain't bad is it.

Not in summer,, but winter!!! It's closed.??BUSBY..

 

[SteveJulesMontycame2]

We’re driving north from Spain up the west of France. Filled up Donostia-San Sebastian just before crossing the border at Irun yesterday, so 120 litres in the tank. Tried to top up at a filling station just off the N10 south of Angouleme, but they were only allowing folk 30€ worth @ 1.41€ per litre. Should have enough to reach Kent though, so not too worried about fuel now.
The motorway service stations we passed appeared to have fuel, but were charging around 1.50€ per litre.
Crossing Saturday morning; now the worry is we suspect Eurotunnel may be affected....

 

[big map]

Eurotunnel was all good last night.

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