FCO Warns Britons of Disrupted Travel in France

British holidaymakers travelling to France have received a warning from the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO).

France has recently suffered from continued strikes and industrial action, meaning that is fuel is precious and transport is unreliable.

Every year many British people head to the Continent for the half term school holidays because it is close and cheap to travel to, while providing a totally different cultural experience.

However recent austerity measures as a result of the global financial crisis have upset the French populace causing many sectors to strike. That has included air traffic controllers (ATC) and rail workers. In the last month alone there have been four ATC strikes alone.

The Foreign Office website says that travelling around the country will be unpredictable with substantial disruptions as a result of the ‘wildcat strikes’.

Anyone planning on travelling in France should keep an eye on the news and contact tour operators if they have any concerns.

The British RAC motoring group reported a 10% increase in calls asking for travelling advice in France, although no actual problems among its members yet.

One of the biggest concerns is possible fuel shortages and the FCO and RAC both urged motorists to fill up whenever they could.

Car hire companies recommended that customers purchase their fuel up front from the rental company. Meanwhile Avis advised its customers to keep an eye on how much fuel they have at all times.

On the other hand P&O Ferries reminded drivers that it is not permitted to bring extra petrol onboard its vessel.
The Foreign Office also advised all Britons to avoid large crowds and demonstrations while in France in case violence breaks out.