Tuesday January 11th, 2000

Blockades by French truckers have held up motor-racing teams BMW Williams and McLaren on their way to pre-season testing in France, a British transport industry spokesman said on Monday.

Barricades set up by French hauliers in protest over new labour laws and higher fuel prices meant the two Formula One outfits were caught up on their way to the racing circuit in Jerez in Spain.

The teams were unable to get their trucks through blockades set up on the ring road round the western French city of Poitiers, the Freight Transport Association said.

British truck drivers have been angered by the French blockades, which began on Monday, saying they are innocent victims of the dispute.

"This is just another example of how this act of industrial bullying is harming the legitimate business of many countries," Freight Transport Association spokesman David Russell said.

French hauliers were complaining about the cost of French diesel and the introduction of a 35-hour week, which meant their dispute was with the French government.

"British operators have nothing whatsoever to do with this and should be allowed to move freely across the continent," he said.

Russell added: "The FTA is putting all the pressure it can on the French to lift this blockade so that British business, and Formula One, can get back to normal."

Up to 2,000 European trucks have been stranded near the Spanish frontier, with huge jams also reported at other border crossings.