Passengers brace for 2nd day of travel carnage as holidaymakers stranded on Eurostar train OVERNIGHT after power outage
EUROSTAR passengers are braced for a second day of travel carnage after some holidaymakers claimed they were stranded on a train overnight.
Journeys between the UK and France were brought to a halt yesterday as a result of a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel, leaving passengers battling hours of travel chaos.
All trains from London to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels were cancelled.
The disruption upended New Year’s plans for thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
Meanwhile, a failed Le Shuttle train in the tunnel caused further disruption to services.
Some Eurostar and LeShuttle services had resumed on Tuesday evening, but delays remained, with only one of the tunnel’s two rail lines open.
And some travellers claimed they spent more than six hours stuck onboard trains overnight as services were hit by more delays.
One man claimed he had boarded the 19:01 service to Paris, but as of 3am UK time he was still stuck on the train at the entrance to the tunnel.
He said staff had told him there was a “50 per cent chance we go to Paris, 50 per cent chance we go back to London”.
“I guess my new year plan is in the hands of the tunnel operators now,” the 27-year-old Parisian told the BBC.
Another passenger described feeling a “rollercoaster of emotions” for hours, not knowing whether the train he was on would be able to continue across the Channel or return to London.
His train eventually made it to Brussels, he said, adding: “Glad to be home, saw many families stranded.”
Passengers have been warned that there will continue to be delays and longer journey times as a result of knock-on effects today.
On Wednesday morning, an update on Eurostar’s website said: “Services have resumed today following a power issue in the Channel Tunnel yesterday and some further issues with rail infrastructure overnight.
“We plan to run all of our services today, however due to knock-on impacts there may still be some delays and possible last-minute cancellations.
“Please check for live updates on the status of your train on the train status and timetables page.”
London’s St Pancras International station was yesterday crammed with waiting passengers near the departure area.
Meanwhile, cars that had hoped to use the Channel Tunnel caused traffic jams near the LeShuttle Terminal in Folkestone.
At least a dozen Eurostar services between the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands had been cancelled by midday on Tuesday.
The rail operator apologised and said passengers could rearrange their plans free of charge or can cancel their booking and get a refund or an e-voucher.
On Tuesday, Eurostar has urged its customers “to rebook their journey for another day if possible, with free exchanges available”.
“We also advise customers not to come to our stations if their trains have been already been cancelled.”
