Petition calls for pet service for Channel Tunnel crossing

A pet-owner fed-up with complications in taking her dog to France has launched a petition demanding a pet service on Channel Tunnel trains.

Tara Barker is asking Eurostar to end its current ban. She is also calling on new operators launching Channel Tunnel plans to allow pets.

At present only Eurostar (majority French-owned but now headquartered in Belgium) offers passenger trains via the tunnel.

However, several other firms have plans to start new passenger train services, including Virgin Group, which reports ordering a dozen high-speed trains from Alstom for its plans to start running from 2030. The service would include London-to-Paris trips. Other firms expressing interest include a Spanish start-up Evolyn and Italy’s state-owned FS.

Ms Barker, who has moved back to the UK for family reasons, travels regularly to Paris, where her husband still lives.

“It’s been hard to make the journey back to Paris because I don't drive a car and I couldn't do the long drives on my own even if I hired a car (not least because my dog hates the car).” 

“So, if I want to go to Paris with my dog I have to catch a train from London to Dover, then I use a pet Courier, normally LePetExpress, to take me under the tunnel to Calais.

“Then I end up waiting at Calais train station for a couple of hours before being able to catch a train to Paris. In total the journey can take eight hours, as opposed to 2.5 hours on Eurostar.

“The return trip can cost between £500-600. Nearly three times as much as Eurostar.”

She says people who do drive are not much better off, as they have to drive down to Folkestone to use the Eurotunnel LeShuttle service (or use a ferry) and then drive from Calais to Paris. 

Eurostar’s ban is “outdated” and “not friendly to customers”, she said.

 “Virgin trains intend to rival Eurostar. So it's a great time to make them aware of this potential area for development.”

A Eurostar spokesman said the firm only permits assistance animals, such as for people with sight problems.

He said this is because it would take extra time to check animals’ travel documentation and the procedures would also require extra space, which is limited.

Hygiene and the comfort of other passengers are also factors, as not all pets are trained to cope with long travel “without needing facilities”, which are not available.

“We are aware of the demand for pet travel on our services. However, we are not able to make any commitments at this time,” he said.