Source: AFP
Eurostar trains were canceled on Saturday due to flooded tunnels in southern England, causing misery for New Year travelers in the second major disruption in 10 days.
The latest cancellations follow a wildfire strike by French unions just days before Christmas and weather warnings from the UK Met Office for rain, snow and ice across large parts of the country.
Hundreds of travelers were stranded at London’s St Pancras station as Eurostar apologized to customers.
Newlyweds Nicole Carrera, 29, and her husband Christopher, 31, who were visiting New York said their plans to spend New Year’s Eve at Disneyland Paris had been “ruined”.
“We will now not enter Paris tomorrow until around 18:00,” Carrera said, adding that they would instead simply walk around the French capital.
Another couple, Christina David, 25, and Georgina Benyamin, 26, from Sydney, had planned to make Paris their last stop in Europe before flying home.
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David said she felt “disappointed, angry, sad”, adding that “there were a lot of people crying” and now they had nowhere to stay.
Services were canceled after flooded tunnels near Ebbsfleet International station in Kent.
Source: AFP
Eurostar operates services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam via Ashford, midway between London and the English south coast.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Southeastern Railway said: “No high speed trains expected to run today between St Pancras and Ashford International.
“We are working to fix the flooding in the tunnels.”
In a statement, Southeastern added that the flooding meant “all lines are blocked.”
“Disruption is expected by the end of the day.”
Year of travel chaos
The upheaval comes after French unions ended a wildfire strike that had stranded holidaymakers and suspended freight just days before Christmas.
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The surprise strike by workers who blocked the tunnel caused chaos for hours at rail junctions in Paris and London.
Eurostar services resumed on December 22 after an agreement was reached with unions that negotiations had produced “results that we are satisfied with”.
Saturday’s canceled flights complete a year of travel disruption for UK travelers due to strikes, storms and other problems.
Travelers to France in April endured waiting times of up to 16 hours at Dover due to higher than expected numbers and weather conditions.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman at the time denied the delays were a consequence of Brexit.
In August, flights to and from the UK were affected by a technical fault affecting air traffic control systems, while in November Storm Ciaran saw ferry crossings and flights cancelled.
More than a year of walkouts by rail workers over pay and conditions amid a cost-of-living crisis has also affected travellers.
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Although rail union RMT last month said its members had voted in favor of a pay deal, the Aslef union, which represents drivers, has yet to reach an agreement.
Eurostar is 55.75% owned by French state-owned SNCF Voyageurs.
It nearly went bankrupt during the Covid-19 pandemic, but was saved by a 290 million euro ($320.6 million) bailout from shareholders, including the French government.
Source: AFP