Eurostar and Le Shuttle services between the UK and France have resumed through the Channel Tunnel after major travel disruption on Tuesday.
Thousands of passengers faced hours of delays after Eurostar cancelled most of its London to Europe services due to overhead power supply problems and a failed Le Shuttle train that blocked all routes.
Repair work took place overnight, and rail services through the tunnel resumed on Wednesday morning. However, Eurostar urged passengers to check before travelling as it warned of potential knock-on delays and last-minute cancellations.
Most Eurostar services for Wednesday morning have departed from London St Pancras, with only three cancellations reported — one to Paris, one to Brussels, and another to Amsterdam.
The high-speed rail firm apologized for any inconvenience caused and noted the intent to run all services that day while warning of possible delays. Customers are encouraged to check real-time updates on the Eurostar website for train statuses.
An additional London to Paris service is planned for Wednesday, and affected passengers may receive enhanced compensation options, including full refunds and 150% ticket price as an e-voucher.
Le Shuttle services from Folkestone have returned to normal post-disruptions, with residual delays of approximately one hour at Calais.
Images on social media showed large crowds stranded at London St Pancras International due to the disruption, which led to significant travel problems just as people sought to leave for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Some travelers resorted to creative solutions; one passenger purchased a bicycle to complete their journey after being stranded due to the train delays.
Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, reported that repair operations continued overnight to solve the initial issues that caused the travel chaos. Travelers are urged to remain vigilant as the effects of the disruptions may linger into upcoming days.
