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French strike disruption snares UK travellers

Mass protests in France spilled over to disrupt cross-Channel transport in Britain on Tuesday.

French strike disruption snares UK travellers
Travellers are seen at Gare du Nord railway station in Paris, the location of the Eurostar terminal, on March 7th amid fresh strikes against pension reform. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

Dozens of flights and trains were cancelled and ferries delayed as French workers rallied against government pension reforms.

Air traffic controllers and rail staff in France were among those to walk out.

Budget carrier EasyJet axed at least 18 flights between Britain and France while British Airways cancelled at least 13, impacting passengers departing from hubs including Heathrow and Gatwick airports near London.

READ MORE: ‘France at a standstill’: What to expect from trains, planes and roads during Tuesday’s strikes

Air France withdrew four flights from service between Heathrow and Paris.

Eurostar, which runs the cross-Channel rail service, cancelled 16 of 26 trains scheduled between London and Paris, and a further six between the British capital and Brussels.

The company warned the fallout from the protests “could extend beyond” Tuesday.

Ferry passengers travelling between Dover and Calais were told to expect disruption, with sailings delayed by up to 65 minutes. P&O Ferries advised passengers to travel on another date.

You can keep up to date with all new strike information HERE.

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POLITICS

VIDEO: King Charles vows to strengthen UK-France ties

King Charles III on Thursday pledged to do everything he could to strengthen the relationship between France and Britain, suggesting the "indispensable" partners could also team up to jointly tackle the climate emergency.

VIDEO: King Charles vows to strengthen UK-France ties

In a speech at the French Senate on the second day of a three-day visit to France that London hopes will tighten post-Brexit relations, Charles deftly mixed English and French, winning a standing ovation from the lawmakers.

He recalled his mother Queen Elizabeth II, whom he succeeded upon her death  one year ago, describing her legacy for France-UK relations as a “golden thread which will forever shine brightly” and saying the royal family were “moved beyond measure” by tributes to her from France.

“For the time that is granted to me as King, I pledge to do whatever I can to strengthen the indispensable relationship between the United Kingdom and France,” he said.

“Quite simply, the United Kingdom will always be one of France’s closest allies and best friends,” he said, speaking from a lectern adorned with British, French and EU flags.

VIDEO How good are British royals at speaking French?

He suggested that France and Britain should team up to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies with a new version of the 1904 Entente Cordiale pact, which sealed the friendship between Paris and London.

“I would like to propose it also becomes an ‘Entente pour la Durabilite’ (Partnership for Sustainability) in order to tackle the global climate and biodiversity emergency more effectively.”

He also vowed that London and Paris were “steadfast in our determination Ukraine will triumph” in fighting the Russian invasion.

“Our alliance and our resolve are as important as ever. Together, we stand in resolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

His speech will also be etched in history as the first British monarch to speak in the main chamber of the Senate: his mother spoke in a conference hall within the Senate in a 2004 speech.

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