A concrete wall in Calais designed to stop UK-bound migrants from crossing the Channel has been fitted with unlocked doors along its length, it has been revealed.
The multi-million pound barrier runs half a mile along the N216 motorway near the French town’s ferry terminal.
But the 13ft wall, which was supposed to stop refugees from boarding lorries heading for the UK, has doors that can be opened without a key from the motorway side.
A concrete wall in Calais designed to stop UK-bound migrants from crossing the Channel has been fitted with unlocked doors along its length, it has been revealed. The steel doors have a latch on the motorway side, an investigation has revealed. Refugees are pictured running past one of the doors
The 13ft wall, which was supposed to discourage refugees from boarding lorries heading for the UK, has doors that can be opened without a key from the motorway side
The multi-million pound barrier runs half a mile along the N216 motorway near the French town’s ferry terminal
According to Oliver Pritchard for the Daily Star, who revealed the bizarre design after an investigation, migrants revealed it is possible to walk to the end of the wall where it reaches a roundabout and then walk back to open the door from the other side.
On the motorway side, the steel doors have handles and a catch which can be opened without a key. It is thought the idea was to provide access for emergency services and maintenance workers.
The Daily Star quoted one aid worker in the area as saying: The wall is totally pointless.’
On the motorway side, the steel doors have handles and a catch which can be opened without a key. It is thought the idea was to provide access for emergency services and maintenance workers
Work started on the controversial wall, which cost British taxpayers more than £2million, in September 2016 and was completed in December of that year
A Home Office spokesman added: ‘Security for the wall is a responsibility for the French authorities.’
Work started on the controversial wall, which cost British taxpayers more than £2million, in September 2016 and was completed in December of that year.
French charities and politicians from both left and right said they were disgusted by the prospect of the 13ft high structure, which was dubbed the ‘Wall of Shame’.
It runs along the site of the former Calais Jungle where thousands of migrants once camped in squalid conditions before the shanty town was destroyed.