Eurostar cancellations add to Christmas getaway misery on rail network
Passengers are suffering fresh disruption in the Christmas getaway after severe weather left rail lines blocked around Britain, while a strike by French Eurotunnel workers has halted Eurostar trains and cross-Channel shuttle services.
Strong winds from Storm Pia, including gusts of up to 80mph in northern Britain, have blown down trees on tracks around the country.
Damaged power lines on the main west coast route out of London meant most intercity trains from London Euston were severely delayed or cancelled on Thursday afternoon.
Multiple blockages were reported on lines in the West Midlands, and further disruption on the Southeastern network.
Speed restrictions had already been put in place on Thursday morning by Network Rail for much of Scotland and northern England after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind, indicating probable disruption. TransPennine Express had urged passengers not to travel in and out of Edinburgh, and LNER services north to Inverness were suspended.
A strike called by French unions in Calais, which started shortly before midday, has closed the Channel tunnel to trains. Workers were apparently striking after Getlink, the owner of Eurotunnel, awarded them a €1,000 (£870) bonus, which unions argued should have been three times higher.
The strike has left at least 24 Eurostar trains cancelled until a possible evening resumption, with four trains having had to stop and turn back.
Eurostar said: “Due to unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff, services are currently not able to proceed through the Channel tunnel until mid-afternoon at earliest.”
LeShuttle, the Getlink-operated service that transports motor vehicles across the Channel, is also suspended.
A spokesperson for Getlink said customers were being offered the option of going to the ferries or travelling on Friday, adding: “For the moment all services are suspended because we cannot run the railway safely without staff.”
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He said the sudden strike was the first ever of its nature at Getlink, and was happening at a peak period: “Today and tomorrow are the biggest days this winter.”
Most travellers will still hope to escape the effects of the severe weather and French strikes, with the Christmas getaway expected to peak on Friday, according to motoring organisations and airport forecasts.