Channel Tunnel Chaos Eases As Eurostar Resumes Full Service

After a day of travel misery for thousands, Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel are largely back on track today, though passengers are still being urged to brace for potential bumps in their journey. The vital rail link connecting London with mainland Europe ground to a halt yesterday, throwing New Year travel plans into disarray for countless travellers. The widespread disruption stemmed from a significant power supply problem within the Channel Tunnel itself, compounded by a separate issue involving a LeShuttle train. This dual blow effectively severed the undersea rail connection between Folkestone and Coquelles, impacting all Eurostar routes linking London with major cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels. The sudden halt left countless travellers stranded, with scenes of frustration unfolding at London's St Pancras International and Paris's Gare du Nord. Many were on their way to celebrate the New Year, only to find their meticulously planned trips thrown into chaos, forced to seek last-minute alternatives or postpone their journeys entirely. This latest setback arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for Eurostar. The operator recently celebrated a record-breaking year, carrying an impressive 19.5 million passengers in 2024 – a nearly 5% jump from the previous year, significantly boosted by demand for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Yet, despite its long-held monopoly on passenger services through the tunnel since 1994, the company faces increasing scrutiny over its high fares, particularly on the popular London-Paris route. With ambitious rivals like Richard Branson's Virgin and Italy's Trenitalia eyeing future competition (with Trenitalia aiming for the Paris-London route by 2029), reliability is more crucial than ever. This isn't the first time Eurostar has faced operational challenges; an electrical fault caused cancellations in August, and cable theft in France led to two days of issues in June. While Eurostar has confirmed plans to operate all scheduled services today, a statement acknowledged the lingering "knock-on impacts" that could still lead to delays or even last-minute cancellations. Travellers are advised to check their journey status before heading to the station, as the company works to fully recover from the recent upheaval and maintain confidence in its crucial cross-Channel link. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article