-
Roads to avoid as people travel for a bank holiday weekend away
It is the last long weekend before the summer holidays and many people will be going away
-
American on Interpol’s wanted list found during routine check in France
He is accused of sexually assaulting a student at a Pennsylvania college in 2013
-
EXPLAINED: Why France has declared state of emergency in New Caledonia
Three people have been killed in riots since the start of the week
‘Surprise’ strike closes Channel Tunnel and stops Eurostar services
No passenger or shuttle trains are able to pass through the tunnel, Eurostar ticket holders are being asked to postpone their journey
An unexpected strike by workers on the Channel Tunnel is causing chaos this Thursday (December 21), with the tunnel completely closed to traffic.
No trains have passed through the tunnel since midday, with traffic from both the UK and French sides being affected.
This includes both Eurostar passenger services, as well as those using the Shuttle service to bring their car through the tunnel.
Workers from Getlink (the company that controls the Channel Tunnel) are on strike, however they did not announce their intention to walk out before doing so
Four trains which had already departed were ordered to turn back around to their point of departure after leaving the station, due to being unable to traverse the tunnel.
These are services 9126, 9018, 9023, and 9125.
On their website Eurostar is advising all passengers travelling today to postpone their journey.
Lots of Eurostar passengers at St Pancras wondering how they are going to get home for Christmas - as the Channel Tunnel is shut by a Eurotunnel strike. pic.twitter.com/uC3UblfKkE
— Simon Jones (@SimonJonesNews) December 21, 2023
It is currently unclear when the tunnel will reopen and normal service can resume.
The official Eurostar social media page on X (formerly Twitter) posted that services would be affected “up until at least mid-afternoon,” although it now seems likely delays will last significantly longer.
Read also
Richard Branson ‘plans London-Paris train service to rival Eurostar’