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Passengers told not to travel to London St Pancras to catch trains as all services hit
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All Eurostar services between London and Europe have been cancelled due to “major disruption” in the Channel Tunnel, and passengers have been told not to go to London St Pancras today.
The rail operator blames a problem with the overhead power supply in the tunnel.
Crowds of waiting passengers have been building up at London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord stations.
Eurostar said: “Due to a problem with the overhead power supply and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train, the Channel tunnel is currently closed.
“Unfortunately, this means we have no choice but to suspend all services today until further notice.
“Please do not come to the station.”
Services on the LeShuttle service which carries road vehicles between Folkestone and Calais are also badly hit.
A broken down LeShuttle train has been moved out of the Channel Tunnel, a Eurostar spokesperson has told the PA news agency.
The operator said no passengers were stranded in the tunnel.
All services today have been suspended, Eurostar has confirmed.
An updated statement on its website says: “Due to a problem with the overhead power supply and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train the Channel tunnel is currently closed.
“Unfortunately, this means we have no choice but to suspend all services today until further notice.
“Please do not come to the station.
“We’re very sorry for the impact the situation may have on your travel plans.”
Britain’s biggest budget airline, easyJet, is using larger planes for some of its scheduled flights today linking Luton and Gatwick with Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.
A spokesperson said: “This has added over 200 extra seats and while they have sold out quickly, we will of course be monitoring for any additional opportunities to add capacity where possible and provide more options to help those whose plans have been impacted by the suspended train services.”
“Until further notice” – that is all Eurostar will say about how long trains linking London St Pancras International with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam will be suspended following technical problems in the Channel Tunnel.
The train operator says: “Eurostar services to and from London are suspended until further notice due to overhead power supply issues in the Channel Tunnel, followed by a failed LeShuttle train.
“We advise our customers to rebook their journey for another day, with free exchanges available.
“We apologise for the disruption and will continue to keep customers updated with the latest information.”
The Independent has reiterated a request about how heavily booked trains are for tomorrow, New Year’s Eve.
When services resume, passengers with existing bookings for those trains will take priority, and travellers whose trains have been cancelled will go to the end of the queue.
Eurostar has so far declined to say how much space there may be.
Many travellers are still waiting for updates at London St. Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord stations. However, crowds are beginning to thin out after the rail operator advised that there would be no further services today.
Following the disruption on Channel Tunnel services today, train company LNER has offered to make exceptions to its ticket rules for customers.
An update from the company advises: “LNER customers with tickets dated Tuesday, 30 December, who have been affected can travel on an alternative LNER train today, 30 December.
“Any customers who have had to abandon their journey in London King’s Cross can return to their home station on the next available LNER service at no additional cost.
“LNER customers who choose to defer their Eurostar travel to a different day may use their existing LNER ticket to travel on the same day.”
Eurotunnel has just told The Independent: “An incident related to the power supply to trains occurred last night in part of the Channel Tunnel, affecting train and shuttle traffic.
“A technical intervention is required, which is currently underway.
“The service is temporarily suspended in both directions. Traffic is expected to resume gradually around 3 PM.”
“Our teams are working to restore the situation as quickly as possible.
“Waiting times will be adjusted throughout the day.
“Eurotunnel apologises for the inconvenience and thanks its customers for their patience and understanding.”
Travelling around the New Year often brings chaos as millions of people make plans for the period.
The latest disruption in the Channel Tunnel will be dampening many travellers spirits today ahead of New Years’ Eve.
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder explains what to expect over the busy period:
Eurostar has laid out the options available to passengers who were due to travel on trains that have been delayed or cancelled today.
Information on the service’s website reads: “If you’d rather rearrange your plans, you can choose one of the following options:
“You have three months from the date you were due to travel to claim your preferred option.
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