French protesters block Mont Blanc tunnel
Date: 14-May-02
Country: FRANCE
Trucks with up to four axles were allowed to use the key trade link from Monday. The tunnel was reopened to cars in March - three years after the blaze which killed 39 people - and to trucks under 19 tonnes in April.
Italy trucks 60 percent of its exports through Alpine tunnels. Paris and Rome had been locked in months of wrangling about when to reopen the tunnel to freight.
Protesters mounted blockades at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) and remained there until dispersing around 5 p.m. Diversions were in place and there were no major traffic jams.
Environmentalists have opposed the reopening of the tunnel, saying exhaust fumes from trucks pollute the beautiful Alpine region. Local residents have also protested against allowing heavy freight to use the link, arguing it is too dangerous.
The tunnel is due to open to all trucks, except those carrying hazardous cargo, by June 25.
A spat between France and Italy erupted earlier this year when Rome accused Paris of stalling the reopening of the tunnel to heavier trucks ahead of presidential and government elections.
