Kinnock takes up truckers' fight

Neil Kinnock, the EU transport commissioner, has personally intervened in an effort to end the 10-month battle by British truckers to win compensation from the French government over last year's lorry blockade.

According to a letter from his office to road haulage associations, officials say that "Commissioner Kinnock is particularly concerned" about French authorities' lack of initiative. Mr Kinnock will, the letter states, "use all possible means to ensure that the claims are processed quickly and affected firms compensated."

The 10-day dispute bought the French road system to a halt last November. Despite the loss of trade, the French government has refused nearly all claims from British hauliers - whose total costs have been put at more than pounds 1.5m.