Protesters block Mont Blanc tunnel

Crowds physically blocked the road leading to the tunnel

Environmentalists have blocked the Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy, only hours after it was reopened to heavy goods vehicles.

The tunnel turned into a fiery inferno in March 1999

Thousands of protesters assembled on the French side of the tunnel shortly after dawn, forcing traffic to be re-directed to the nearby Frejus tunnel.

However, Italian lorry drivers later announced that they would retaliate against the environmentalists' action by blocking the Frejus tunnel too.

The transit of lorries is not compatible with our health and with our economy, which is based on tourism

Nora Gallieni, Association for the Defence of Mont Blanc

The Mont Blanc tunnel was closed to all traffic three years ago following a devastating fire in which 39 people died.

The 12-kilometre (7.4-mile) Alpine passage has since undergone extensive repair work and safety improvements and was opened to cars and light trucks earlier this year.

Heavy trucks will be forced to observe strict speed limits, and vehicles carrying dangerous pollutants and chemicals will be prohibited.

Both the French and Italian authorities claim the new safety measures will protect motorists from any further dangers.

Click here to see a map of trans-Alpine tunnels

But BBC correspondent Emma Jane Kirby says many local people are angry at the reopening of the tunnel, saying it is simply unsafe and represents and environmental hazard.

One protest banner read: "Chamonix, a mountain-climbing capital, not a truck capital."

Protesters say they want freight to go by rail

"We are sick of these lorries which just keep on increasing while rail transport could provide answers to the problems," said one protester.

Environmentalists on the Italian side of the border also blocked the road leading to the tunnel with bales of hay, leaving only the security lane free.

"The transit of lorries is not compatible with our health and with our economy, which is based on tourism," said Nora Gallieni, of the Association for the Defence of Mont Blanc.

Drivers' revenge

An Italian drivers' union, FITA CNA, announced the retaliatory action at the Frejus tunnel.

In a note quoted on the La Repubblica website the union said drivers could not accept the blockage of the Mont Blanc tunnel, and intended their action to underline Italy's "political and economic isolation".

French Transport Minister Gilles de Robien said he understood the complaints of Chamonix residents, but warned that protests would cause long delays at other Alpine tunnels.

"The reopening of the tunnel to all trucks is the result of an international agreement between Italy and France. France's word must be respected," Mr Robien said.

---

Click here to return