Lorry drivers stuck in Portsmouth receive donations of food after community steps in

SCORES of lorry drivers who have been delayed by border closures received parcels of help as Portsmouth’s community spirit shone through.
Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community
Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community

The lorry drivers had been held up from getting on to their pre-booked sailings from Portsmouth International Port.

Many diverted to businesses such as Portsmouth Truck Stop in Walton Road, Farlington and Havant Lorry Park, in Southmoor Lane, while others faced an anxious wait at the city port itself.

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Family-run business Portsmouth Truck Stop put out a plea for community help on its Facebook page, in a bid to bring some joy to the drivers.

Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community
Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community
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David O’Donnell has run the truck stop in Portsmouth for the past 20 years. It has space for 15 lorries and provides food from a cafe, washing facilities and a safe place for the lorries to park.

His daughter Aimie Williams said: ‘Over the last couple of days we have been looking after drivers who are stuck.

‘They can’t get home until they receive a negative coronavirus test so they have been waiting.

Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community
Lorry drivers delayed by the border closure receive food from Portsmouth community
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‘A lot of the drivers had run out of money and supplies as they had not planned for something like this to happen so we put out a message for help and North End Baptist Church offered to help with donations.

‘Once we had given the parcels out here, we went to the truck stop in Havant and then down to the port in Portsmouth.

‘The drivers just want to get home but they were really happy to have some food.

‘Dover is getting a lot of attention but drivers were facing the same situation in Portsmouth. We had to ask for help. It was the least we could do.’

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The Rev Tracey Ansell from North End Baptist Church said: ‘The drivers had not planned on this happening, many had run out of food. As we run a food bank from the church we wanted to help.

‘We had shut our doors yesterday as we thought we were done for the season but people have been so generous that we had food left over so helping these drivers was the obvious thing for us to do. They were so grateful.

‘Everybody’s plans have completely changed this year, you have to make the most of it.

‘It was making sure that everybody else can make the best of the situation too.’

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A statement released by Portsmouth Port on Wednesday night said: ‘We are pleased to announce that pre-booked freight drivers are on their way to France, sailing on the 2.45pm to Caen, after they received a negative Covid test, which took place at the port.

‘Passengers must secure their own private tests, it is a government decision to prioritise the flow of trade. You will not be able to check in unless you have evidence of a test taken within the last 72 hours.

‘We are only permitting access to those with valid Brittany Ferries bookings, all sailings pre-Christmas are full so do not attempt to travel to the port without confirmation as you will not be granted access.

‘Testing for pre-booked freight drivers is underway and will be in place until restrictions change.’

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