Hauliers have criticised plans for the UK to build a wall in Calais as part of arrangements to contain migrants.

The 13ft high barrier, which would stretch for one kilometre, will be constructed along the main motorway to the port in northern France.

It is expected to cost £1.9m and is being built as part of a £17m package of measures.

The aim is to add a further layer of protection against attempts to delay or attack vehicles approaching the port.

But Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett said: "This latest proposal ... would be a poor use of taxpayers' money."


Calais Jungle 'More Squalid Than Ever'

He said the money to pay for a wall "would be much better spent on increasing security along the approach roads".

Steven McIntosh from Save the Children was also critical of the move, saying: "Desperate children and young people will try to escape the camp to reach safety and a better life.

"It's vital that we ensure any security measures put in place in Calais don't put their lives at risk by pushing them into the arms of smugglers and people traffickers."

Lorry driver Andrew Lavender told Sky News: "Better than that (a wall), give us a few soldiers to protect us going into port, with a number to get help fast and a secure area so we can check our vehicles without the threat of being fined."

On Tuesday Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill confirmed plans to build a "big new wall".

He told the Home Affairs select committee: "The security that we are putting in at the port is being stepped up with better equipment.

Image: Drivers staged a 'go-slow' as they called for the camp to be destroyed

"We are going to start building this big new wall very soon. We've done the fence, now we are doing a wall."

Earlier this week, lorry drivers, shopkeepers, farmers and police officers took part in a blockade of the main motorway in Calais.

They demanded the "Jungle" migrant camp outside Calais be demolished.

The camp is home to 9,000 migrants living in squalid tents and makeshift shelters.

The migrants have been throwing objects at vehicles travelling to the port to slow traffic, so they can get on to lorries bound for the UK.

Image: Robert Goodwill said the wall would step up security in Calais

A Sky Data poll reveals that 63% of people surveyed believe Britain should take fewer refugees, a 16% increase from a year ago.

A total of 66% said they would not be willing for more refugees to move to their local area.

The announcement of the wall comes as figures released last month showed that net long-term migration stood at an estimated 327,000 in the year to March.

Mr Goodwill insisted the Government remained committed to its target of reducing that total to the tens of thousands.

He said: "The big challenge is our target which is to reduce immigration to sustainable levels. Sustainable levels means in the tens of thousands."

:: Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,833 Sky customers online between 26-31 August 2016. Data are weighted to the profile of the population. For the full Sky Data tables, please continue to this page.