PARIS: Staff at the Eiffel Tower shut down the Paris landmark on Wednesday afternoon in protest over a new access policy which they say is generating “monstrous” queues for tourists.

Access to the monument, which welcomed more than six million visitors last year, was blocked from 1400 GMT, according to a sign at the base of the tower.

Staff had already been set to strike on Thursday. The site’s management said staff took action after talks with unions fell apart earlier on Wednesday afternoon.

The site was not evacuated, and tourists already inside were allowed to finish their visit.

Staff are angry over a decision last month to start setting aside half of the Eiffel Tower’s daily tickets for people who buy them online in advance and choose a scheduled time for their visit.

Previously just 20 percent of tickets to go up the 324-metre (1,063-foot) “Iron Lady” could be booked ahead of time.—AFP