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'GREAT WALL OF CALAIS'

Work begins on 13ft barrier to stop migrants sneaking onto UK-bound lorries… and it’s costing us £2.5 million

A crane lifted the first cement panels on Saturday

WORK has begun on the 13ft high concrete barrier aimed to stop migrants finding their way onto UK-bound lorries - dubbed the "Great Wall of Calais".

The structure, which costs £2.5 million and will be funded by British taxpayers, is set to run 0.6 miles along the motorway leading to the French port.

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The first cement panels were lifted by crane on SaturdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
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The wall will line a 0.6 mile stretch of the motorway leading to the portCredit: AP:Associated Press
Trucks are being driven on a road along
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The Calais Mayor attempted to challenge the construction but was overruledCredit: Getty Images

A crane lifted the first cement panels on Saturday - and building work is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

Despite initially being in favour of the wall, Calais Mayor Natacha Bouchart attempted to legally oppose the construction - saying there is no need for a wall following the French government's promise to close the Jungle refugee camp.

However, she was overruled by the local administration.

The UK's Road Haulage Association, which represents British lorry drivers, has also slammed the construction.

Spokeswoman Kate Gibbs said: "Money would be much better spent on boosting security along the approach road.

"This is being called the Great Wall of Calais but what good will it do?

"We are telling our drivers not to stop within 150 miles of Calais so they are not targeted by migrants."

The wall will line the motorway which leads to the French port
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The wall will line the motorway which leads to the French port
Trucks are being driven on a road along
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The beginning of construction follows Home Secretary Amber Rudd's promise to resettle unaccompanied children in Calais with ties to the UKCredit: Getty Images
Trucks are being driven on a road along
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The wall will cost UK taxpayers £2.5 millionCredit: Getty Images
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The so-called 'Great Wall of Calais' has been highly criticisedCredit: AP:Associated Press

The construction has started in the wake of Home Secretary Amber Rudd's promise to resettle "hundreds" of unaccompanied children in Calais with family links to the UK.

She promised Britain hopes to transfer “as many minors as possible” before the French begin to tear down the notorious ‘Jungle’ migrant camp.


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