Is it safe to travel through Calais this week?
THE process of demolishing the Calais 'Jungle' camp started today, with thousands of migrants being moved across France.
The port of Calais is the main ferry crossing point between England and France over the English Channel - so what exactly is happening and what does it mean for British holidaymakers crossing the Channel this week?
What is happening in Calais right now?
The Jungle is being demolished and its 10,000 residents moved across France after an operation to close the camp for good started today.
More than 1,200 police and officials started the process at 8:00am this morning (6am GMT).
Migrants are being bussed out to various places in France today before heavy machinery will clear the tents and shelters tomorrow. The first coach left less than half an hour after processing began at 8am this morning, carrying 50 Sudanese refugees to Burgundy.
Migrants are being placed into separate queues of families, lone migrants and vulnerable people.
After being processed at points throughout the camp they are being bussed out to various asylum centres in France – there are 167 new asylum centres across the country with room for 7,500 people.
Some of the locations have been named including centres in Haute Savoie, Haute Loire, l’Isère, Drôme and Saône et Loire. These are rural places and will house between 100 and 300 migrants.
At their new destination they will be given the opportunity to claim asylum else risk being deported.
However, despite sixty busses being chartered for today authorities say they "ran out of buses" to transport them across the country, bringing the operation to a grinding halt.
Migrants and refugees are being told to come back tomorrow for one of the 45 busses chartered. Each bus can carry 50 people and another 40 are chartered for Wednesday.
Unaccompanied children will remain in Calais inside purpose built container cabins in the Jungle, where they will be assessed for eligibility to come to the UK.
Is it safe to travel through Calais this week?
In short, yes - but be vigilant. The government have advised anyone driving in the area to keep car doors locked in slow moving traffic in the area and to secure vehicles if left unattended.
They also advise stopping and phoning 112 if you feel at any point it is unsafe. The states "There continue to be large numbers of illegal migrants in and around Calais, who may seek to enter the UK illegally.
"There have been recent incidents of obstacles being placed on to the road and items being thrown at vehicles on the approach to Calais Port from the A16 motorway. If this happens you should keep moving where it’s safe to do so, or stop and call 112 if it’s not safe to proceed."
France as a country has been put under a national state of emergency since the Bastille Day terror attacks last year. The terror attack also remains at a "high" level and the public are reminded to be vigilant.
What should I do before travelling to Calais?
There may be delays around Calais as the Jungle camp is cleared. The government say that there are plans to manage disruption but if you are travelling to France through Calais you should check the website of your ferry operator - see for updates.
They also have an which displays alternative routes and information on disruption.
If you are taking Le Shuttle through the Eurotunnel you can check for the latest updates
The emergency phone number in France is 112 and don't forget to take your European Health Insurance Card as well as travel insurance.
The French government has launched a free app to alert users about possible security incidents. The app, called SAIP (Système d’alerte et d’information des populations), is available in English and French. You can download the app by entering the term ‘SAIP’ in the or.
What should I expect when I get to Calais?
If you are travelling to Calais remember to be vigilant at all times and keep doors locked when driving.
Expect increased security checks at borders and remember to protect your belongings, especially your passport. Pick-pocketing is the most common crime across France.
Be aware that cars are also a target for criminals, who have previously stolen handbags from vehicles stopped in traffic or parked in service stations overnight.
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