French throw out claim agreement
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by Sally Nash • Hauliers fighting for compensation are back to square one nine months after the French drivers blockade, the Government admits.
Most hauliers affected will be forced to submit new claims, according to a letter from the Department of Transport sent out last week.
The French are now refusing to recognise the original agreement, insisting that hauliers submit new information which gives a detailed breakdown of the sums claimed. "This in effect will constitute a fresh claim," says the DOT.
Compensation will be paid out only in respect of specific losses. The French want evidence to establish the exact location, dates and times of each blockaded lorry and details of the precise losses.
Another blow to hauliers is that the French will reject all claims for vehicles that were unable to enter France.
The DOT advises drivers who are appealing against a refusal of compensation to drop their case or submit a new claim. The trade associations will help draw up a "model claim" in order to make sure that future claims will be acceptable to the French.
The DOT hopes that a meeting can be held next month to discuss the situation with the French.
The move comes just a week after Road Haulage Association director-general Steven Norris pledged to win compensation for members. The association has described this latest twist as a "French farce".